How to Add Tags to YouTube Shorts

Wondering if tags still matter for YouTube Shorts in the age of powerful algorithms? The short answer is a definite yes. While they may not be the magic bullet they once were for long-form video, tags remain a valuable tool for giving YouTube crucial context about your content. This guide will walk you through exactly why tags are important for Shorts, how to find the right ones, and step-by-step instructions for adding them to your videos on both desktop and mobile.

Why Tags Still Matter for YouTube Shorts

In a world of constant content, giving the platform extra information is never a bad idea. Think of tags as helpful signposts that guide both the algorithm and potential viewers to your video. Getting them right can have a real impact on your discoverability and long-term reach.

1. They Provide Essential Context for the Algorithm

At its core, YouTube is a massive search engine. The algorithm works tirelessly to understand what every video is about so it can serve the right content to the right audience. Your video’s title and description are the most important clues, but tags act as powerful reinforcement. When you tag a Short with “keto dessert recipe” or “quick watercolor tutorial,” you’re explicitly telling YouTube, “This video belongs in this category and is relevant to people searching for these terms.”

2. They Fuel Discoverability in Related Feeds

Have you ever watched a Short and then immediately been served a dozen more just like it? Tags play a role in that. When you use relevant tags that are also being used on other popular videos in your niche, you increase the chances of your Short appearing as a suggested video after someone watches similar content. This is a huge driver of organic views from audiences who are already interested in what you have to offer.

3. They Offer Long-Term Search Value

Unlike an Instagram Reel or TikTok that has a relatively short lifespan, YouTube Shorts have staying power. Because they live on a search-based platform, your Shorts can be discovered for months or even years after you post them. Proper tagging ensures that when someone searches for a hyper-specific topic next year, your well-optimized Short has a chance to show up and solve their problem, driving continuous views over time.

How to Find Effective Tags for Your Shorts

The goal isn't to just stuff the tags box with random words, it's to use strategic, relevant keywords that accurately describe your content. Here’s a simple process for finding tags that actually work.

Step 1: Start with Your Core Concepts

Before you even think about tools, ask yourself a simple question: What is this Short really about? Boil it down to its most basic elements. If you made a Short about transforming a messy pantry, your core concepts are "pantry organization," "decluttering," and "kitchen storage." Write these down. These are your "seed" keywords and the foundation of your tag strategy.

Step 2: Use YouTube's Search Bar for Suggestions

The YouTube search bar is your best friend. It’s a direct window into what real people are actively searching for. Start typing one of your core concepts and see what YouTube suggests in the autocomplete drop-down menu.

• Typing "pantry organization" might suggest: "pantry organization ideas," "pantry organization on a budget," "pantry organization asmr," and "pantry organization hacks."

These are all high-value tags because they represent actual user search terms. Add the most relevant ones to your list.

Step 3: Analyze Popular Shorts in Your Niche

You don't need to reinvent the wheel. Find creators in your niche who are making successful Shorts on similar topics. While you can't see their specific tags directly on the video page, you can get a ton of insight from their titles and descriptions. Pay attention to the language and phrases they use. Often, the keywords in their titles are the same ones they are using in their tags.

For example, if you see several popular organization Shorts titled "My Ultimate Pantry Makeover," there's a good chance "pantry makeover" is a solid tag to consider.

Step 4: Think Beyond Obvious Keywords

Effective tagging involves a good mix of broad and specific terms. Don't be afraid to think about related concepts, questions people might ask, or even common misspellings.

• Broad Tags: "organization," "cleaning," "home improvement"
• Specific (Long-Tail) Tags: "how to organize a small pantry," "dollar store organization hacks," "satisfying cleaning motivation"
• Question-Based Tags: "how to declutter kitchen," "where to buy cheap containers"

This mix helps you compete for both high-level interest and very specific searches, casting a wider net for potential viewers.

How to Add Tags to YouTube Shorts (Step-by-Step)

Adding tags is straightforward, but the location of the tags box isn't always obvious. Here are the steps for both desktop and mobile.

Method 1: Adding Tags on a Computer (Desktop)

This is the simplest way to manage your video details, including tags. Use this method when you’re uploading from your computer.

1. Navigate to YouTube Studio and click the “Create” button to upload your Short.
2. As the video uploads, you'll land on the "Details" screen. Fill out your title and description.
3. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page and click the "SHOW MORE" button. This will expand a list of additional options.
4. Keep scrolling down until you find the "Tags" section. It will have a box where you can type or paste your tags.
5. Enter your tags, separated by commas. As you type a comma, the text will turn into a distinct tag block.
6. Once you're done, finish filling out the rest of the video details and publish your Short.

Method 2: Adding Tags on Your Phone (YouTube App &, Studio App)

Adding tags from your phone requires an extra step, as the main YouTube app doesn’t let you add them during the initial upload. You’ll need the YouTube Studio mobile app as well.

1. Open the main YouTube app and upload your Short as you normally would.
2. After the upload is complete and the video is published (or scheduled), close the YouTube app and open the YouTube Studio app.
3. Tap on "Content" in the bottom menu to see a list of your videos. Find the Short you just uploaded and tap on it.
4. Tap the pencil icon (Edit) at the top of the screen.
5. On the Edit screen, scroll down and tap the last option, labeled "Tags, category, comments &, more."
6. At the top of the next screen, you’ll see "Add tags." Tap here and begin adding your tags one by one.
7. When you're finished, tap the back arrow and hit "Save" to apply your changes.

Adding Tags to Already Published Shorts

Don't forget you can always go back and optimize older content! The process for adding or changing tags on a video that’s already live is exactly the same. Just find the video in your YouTube Studio, click to edit it, and follow the steps above to navigate to the tags box.

Best Practices: Using Tags for Maximum Impact

Now that you know how to find and add tags, let's cover a few final tips to make sure you're using them effectively.

• Your First Tag is a Priority. The first tag you list is considered the most important by the algorithm. Make sure this is your primary target keyword - often, it’s the same as the main phrase in your title.
• Be Hyper-Relevant. Never use a misleading or popular tag just to get views (like adding `#gamingshorts` to a cooking video). YouTube's algorithm is smart, it analyzes user behavior. If people click on your video and leave immediately because it's not what the tag promised, the algorithm will see that and penalize your video's reach.
• Mix Broad and Specific Tags. A good strategy is to include 2-3 broad tags to tell YouTube the general category (e.g., "baking," "fitness") followed by 8-12 specific "long-tail" tags that describe the video in detail (e.g., "how to frost a cake for beginners," "no equipment HIIT workout").
• Don’t Go Overboard. YouTube gives you a 500-character limit, but you shouldn't feel obligated to use it all. Aim for 8-15 highly relevant tags. Quality always beats quantity here. A dozen targeted tags are far more effective than 50 vague ones.
• Include Hashtags in Your Description. Along with the tags in the dedicated tag box, add 2-3 of your most important keywords as hashtags (`#keyword`) in your video’s description. These are clickable and can help with discovery, too.

Final Thoughts

Making smart use of tags is a simple but effective way to improve your YouTube Shorts' discoverability. By investing a few extra minutes in keyword research and adding relevant terms, you give your content the best possible chance to be found by the algorithm and the audience you’re trying to reach.

Building a successful channel is all about creating a consistent, manageable workflow. This is exactly why we built Postbase from the ground up to support modern content creators. We wanted a simple, visual calendar where we could plan all our social media - including our YouTube Shorts - and handle every optimization step in one go. Instead of scrambling to add titles, descriptions, and tags after a video goes live, you can schedule everything ahead of time, ensuring nothing gets missed, and your content goes out exactly as planned.