What is the difference between tags and hashtags on YouTube?

Answered by Phillip Nicastro

Tags and hashtags on YouTube serve different purposes and are used in different contexts. Tags are keywords or phrases that creators add to their videos to help describe the content and make it more discoverable. These tags are not visible to viewers but are used by YouTube’s algorithm to determine the relevance and context of the video.

Tags on YouTube are similar to categories or labels used in blogging. They provide an organizational structure for videos and help viewers find similar content. For example, if a video is tagged with “cooking,” “recipe,” and “food,” it will likely appear in search results or recommendations when users are looking for cooking-related content.

On the other hand, hashtags on YouTube are clickable links that are used to categorize and group videos based on a specific topic or theme. Hashtags are visible to viewers and can be added to the video title or description. They are used to join conversations and trends on YouTube and make it easier for users to find videos related to a specific hashtag.

Hashtags on YouTube are similar to hashtags used on other social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram. They allow users to discover and engage with content that is part of a larger discussion or trend. For example, during a major event like the World Cup, users may use the hashtag #WorldCup to find and watch videos related to the tournament.

Tags on YouTube are used to describe and categorize video content, helping viewers find similar videos, while hashtags are used to join conversations and trends, making it easier for users to discover videos on specific topics. Tags provide organization and structure, while hashtags create connections and engagement within the YouTube community.