YouTube Hashtag Generator
Enter a topic or keyword to generate relevant hashtags categorized by competition level.
Enter a topic above and click "Generate Hashtags" to get started.
How YouTube Hashtags Boost Your Video Discoverability
YouTube hashtags are clickable keywords prefixed with the # symbol that help categorize your video content. When viewers click a hashtag above your video title or in the description, they are taken to a results page showing other videos using the same hashtag. This creates an additional discovery pathway beyond traditional search, giving your content more chances to be found by interested viewers.
The strategic use of hashtags can meaningfully increase your video's impressions. YouTube displays the first three hashtags from your description directly above the video title as clickable blue links. These prominent placements act as secondary navigation for viewers browsing related content. When you choose hashtags that match what your target audience is exploring, your video becomes part of a curated content stream that drives organic views over time.
Understanding Hashtag Competition Levels
Not all hashtags are created equal. High-competition hashtags like #tutorial or #tips are used by millions of videos, meaning your content faces enormous competition for visibility within those hashtag pages. Low-competition hashtags are more specific and niche, giving your video a much better chance of standing out. The best strategy combines both: use one or two broad hashtags for maximum reach and two or three niche hashtags where your content can realistically appear at the top.
Hashtag Best Practices for YouTube
YouTube allows up to 60 hashtags per video, but using more than 15 causes YouTube to ignore all of them entirely. The platform officially recommends keeping your hashtag count modest and focused. Most successful creators use between 3 and 5 carefully chosen hashtags in their descriptions. Place your most important hashtags at the very end of the description for clean formatting, since the first three automatically appear above the title regardless of where they are in the description text.
Avoid using hashtags that are misleading, overly generic, or unrelated to your content. YouTube can penalize videos that use hashtags to misrepresent content. Our generator creates hashtags at three competition levels so you can build a balanced strategy that combines reach with realistic ranking potential. Use this tool alongside our Tag Generator and Description Generator for a complete video optimization workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hashtags should I use on YouTube?
YouTube recommends using a small, focused set of hashtags. While the platform allows up to 60 hashtags per video, using more than 15 will cause YouTube to ignore all hashtags on that video. The optimal range is 3 to 5 hashtags that are directly relevant to your content. The first three hashtags in your description will appear as clickable links above your video title, so prioritize your most important and strategic hashtags first.
Where should I put hashtags in my YouTube description?
You can place hashtags anywhere in your video description or title. The most common and recommended approach is to add them at the very end of your description. Regardless of where you place them, YouTube will automatically display the first three hashtags as clickable blue links directly above your video title. Placing them at the end keeps your description text clean and readable while still capturing the SEO benefits.
What is the difference between YouTube tags and hashtags?
YouTube tags are hidden metadata you add during the upload process to help YouTube understand your video's content. They are not visible to viewers. Hashtags, on the other hand, are visible, clickable keywords that appear in your description and above the video title. Both help with discoverability, but they work differently. Tags primarily help YouTube's algorithm categorize your content, while hashtags create browsable content streams that viewers can explore. Use both for maximum SEO impact.
Can hashtags get my YouTube video penalized?
Yes, if misused. YouTube can penalize videos that use misleading hashtags, excessive hashtags (more than 15 causes all to be ignored), or hashtags containing harassment, hate speech, or sexually explicit content. Using hashtags that have no relation to your video content is considered spam and can result in your video being removed from search results. Stick to relevant, accurate hashtags that genuinely describe your content for the best results.