How to Tag a Creator on YouTube

Tagging another creator on YouTube is a simple action that can have a surprisingly big impact on your channel's growth and community engagement. More than just a simple shout-out, a proper tag notifies the other creator, connects your video to their audience in YouTube's eyes, and opens a direct line for collaboration. This article will show you exactly how to tag creators in your titles, descriptions, and comments, and explain the best practices for doing it effectively without looking spammy.

Why Bother Tagging Other Creators? The Benefits for Your Channel

Before getting into the how, it's worth understanding the why. A simple "@" mention does more than just link to another channel, it's a strategic move that can help you build your brand and expand your reach. When used genuinely, tagging becomes a powerful tool in your creator toolkit.

It Boosts Your Visibility and Signals Relationships to the YouTube Algorithm

When you tag another creator, you send a clear signal to YouTube that your content is related to theirs. This can influence the recommendation algorithm. If someone is a fan of the creator you tagged, YouTube is more likely to suggest your video to them as a relevant piece of content. Think of it as building a digital bridge between your audience and theirs. It’s also a way to initiate networking. A friendly tag is a public nod that can open the door to genuine conversations and future collaborations.

It Builds Community and Authentic Credibility

Showing love to other creators demonstrates that you're an active and supportive member of the YouTube community, not just someone broadcasting into the void. Giving credit where it's due - whether you're reacting to their video, were inspired by one of their ideas, or are featuring them in your content - builds trust. Your audience sees you as authentic and interconnected, which fosters a much stronger sense of community around your own channel. This simple act of acknowledgment can go a long way in establishing your credibility.

It Sparks Real-Time Engagement

What’s one of the easiest ways to get someone's attention? Mention them by name. The same principle applies on YouTube. Tagging a creator sends them a direct notification. That small alert can lead to big results: a comment from them on your video, a shout-out on their Community tab, or even a share on their other social media accounts. This not only boosts your video's immediate engagement but also introduces your channel to a new group of highly-relevant viewers who already trust the creator you tagged.

The Right Way to Tag: Mastering the "@" Mention on YouTube

YouTube has made tagging other channels straightforward. The key is knowing where to do it and the small nuances for each location. All it takes is the "@" symbol followed by the channel’s handle or name. YouTube will automatically provide a drop-down list of suggestions, which makes finding the right channel easy.

How to Tag a Creator in Your YouTube Video Title

Placing a tag directly in your title is the most direct way to signal a collaboration or reference. It immediately tells viewers and the algorithm what - or who - your video is about.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. When uploading your video or editing its details in YouTube Studio, go to the Title field.
2. Type the "@" symbol.
3. Begin typing the name of the channel you want to tag. For example, "@MKB".
4. A list of matching channels will appear. Click on the correct channel from the list (e.g., @MKBHD) to confirm the tag.
5. The channel name will turn into a clickable blue link in the title once published.

Example in Action:

Instead of a title like: "We Tried the Burger King Real Cheeseburger... Inspired by MrBeast"

Use a tagged title: "We Tried the Burger King Real Cheeseburger ft. @MrBeast"

The second option is stronger because it’s a direct, clickable link that gives immediate context and properly credits the referenced creator. It's clean, professional, and algorithm-friendly.

How to Tag a Creator in Your YouTube Video Description

The video description is the perfect place for more detailed shout-outs, giving credit to multiple collaborators, or thanking creators who inspired your content. The process is identical to tagging in the title.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Navigate to the Description box in your video's details in YouTube Studio.
2. Find the spot where you want to add the mention.
3. Type the "@" symbol and begin typing the channel's name.
4. Select the correct channel handle from the list that pops up.
5. The tag will now appear as a clickable link within your description.

Usage Examples:

• For Collaboration: "So thankful I was able to film this with the amazing @iJustine! Check out her channel for more great tech videos."
• For Inspiration: "Idea for this video came from a fantastic explainer by @TED. We wanted to take a deeper look at the topic!"
• For Crediting Assets: "Music in this video was composed by the talented @HarrisHeller. Go give him a follow!"

How to Tag a Creator in YouTube Comments

Tagging in the comments is a fantastic strategy for driving conversation and community interaction. You can use it to reply to your own comment section or to engage with content on another creator's channel. It helps pull people into a dialogue.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Go to the comment section of any video.
2. Start writing your comment or reply.
3. To mention someone, type the "@" symbol and their channel name.
4. Select the right channel from the drop-down menu.
5. Post your comment. The user you tagged will receive a notification directing them to your comment.

When to use this: Say a viewer asks a highly technical question about video editing that you're not an expert on. You could reply: "That's a great question about color grading! You might find a good answer on @PeterMcKinnon's channel, he's a master at that stuff." This is helpful to your audience and gives a respectful nod to another creator.

Tagging Do's and Don'ts: A Quick Etiquette Guide

Using the "@" handle is easy, but using it well requires a bit of social tact. Follow these simple rules to make sure your tagging helps, rather than harms, your channel's reputation.

The Do's

• DO tag creators who are relevant to your video. The connection should be obvious. Did you collaborate with them? Are you reviewing one of their products or reacting to their content? Are they a direct inspiration for the concept? This is the golden rule.
• DO use it to give proper credit. If you borrowed a technique, concept, or piece of research from another creator, tagging them is the right thing to do. It’s a simple act of professional courtesy.
• DO double-check the handle before you select it. Popular creators often have fan channels or impersonators. Make sure you're linking to the official account by looking for their subscriber count and verified checkmark (if they have one).

The Don'ts

• DON'T spam tag popular creators just for views. This is the most common mistake. Putting "@PewDiePie" in the title of your unrelated gaming video won’t trick the algorithm, and it will make you look desperate to human viewers. It’s a cheap tactic that doesn’t build a real audience.
• DON'T tag irrelevant creators. If your video is about organizing your closet, don’t tag a channel that reviews cars. The disconnect confuses both the algorithm and your viewers, ultimately hurting your video's performance.
• DON'T use tags for harassment or negative call-outs. While YouTubers can and do create critique videos about others, tagging someone in an aggressive or purely negative context is generally a bad look. It invites drama and can violate YouTube's harassment policies. Keep your tags positive and constructive.

Bonus Tip: What Actually Happens When You Tag Someone?

It’s not just a fancy blue link - a tag triggers a notification. The creator you’ve mentioned will get an alert in their YouTube Studio dashboard and in their regular notifications, specifically in the "Mentions" tab. This directly brings your content to their attention.

This is precisely why relevant tagging is so powerful. It gets your video in front of a person who might be able to amplify it through a comment, a 'like', a share, or even a reply video. It's a respectful way to say, "Hey, I created something I think you and your community might appreciate."

Final Thoughts

Mastering how to tag a creator on YouTube is more than just learning a feature, it's about understanding how to build networks and foster community on the platform. By tagging creators thoughtfully in your titles, descriptions, and comments, you can increase your visibility, establish your channel’s credibility, and spark meaningful engagement that helps you grow.

Planning this kind of collaborative content and keeping track of your shout-outs doesn't have to be chaotic. We designed the visual calendar in Postbase to help you map out your entire content strategy at a glance. You can schedule your YouTube videos while also planning corresponding posts for Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, making it easy to create a unified promotional plan for your collaborations and build a consistent brand everywhere.