Are Tags Good for Growth on YouTube Shorts?

1. Tags and SEO for Shorts

Relevance and Discovery

Tags help YouTube's algorithm understand your Shorts' content, improving visibility for users searching for specific topics.

Tools like TubeBuddy's Keyword Explorer identify trending keywords to incorporate into tags, titles, and descriptions, aligning your content with search intent.

Limitations

Unlike long-form videos, Shorts are primarily surfaced through YouTube's Shorts Feed, which prioritizes watch time, engagement, and trends over traditional SEO.

Tags alone won't guarantee virality but can complement broader optimization efforts.

2. Key Growth Drivers for YouTube Shorts

Content Quality

High retention rates (e.g., viewers watching the full Short) signal quality to YouTube's algorithm.

Repurpose engaging segments from long-form videos using tools like TubeBuddy's AI Suggested Shorts.

Trendjacking

Leverage trending topics or challenges to increase discoverability.

Tools like Keyword Explorer identify rising trends, allowing creators to tailor Shorts to viral themes.

Cross-Promotion

Share Shorts on platforms like Instagram or Facebook to drive external traffic, as noted by YouTube growth specialists.

3. Best Practices for Tags in Shorts

Use Specific Keywords

Focus on niche phrases (e.g., "5-Minute Vegan Recipes" instead of "Cooking") to avoid competition with generic tags.

Limit to 5–10 Tags

Overloading tags dilutes relevance. Prioritize terms directly related to your content and audience interests.

Combine with Metadata

Pair tags with optimized titles and descriptions. For example, TubeBuddy's Title Generator crafts clickable titles based on keyword data.

4. Alternative Growth Strategies

Leverage YouTube's Updates

As of October 2024, Shorts can now be up to 3 minutes long, allowing creators to experiment with detailed content.

Use YouTube's built-in templates and remix tools to simplify repurposing clips.

Analytics-Driven Adjustments

Tools like Google Analytics and A/B testing (e.g., thumbnail variations) refine content strategy based on viewer behavior.