Optimizing the reach of your original songs on YouTube begins with strategic tagging. Tags serve as keywords that help YouTube's algorithm suggest your videos to the right audience, increasing visibility and discoverability. Here's a comprehensive guide on tags to use for your original songs, optimized for SEO and tailored to help your music stand out.
Before diving into specific tags, understand that YouTube allows up to 500 characters for tags, so prioritize quality over quantity. Use a mix of broad and niche-specific tags, and keep them relevant to your music. Now, let's explore various tag categories that can boost your videos' visibility.
Broader Music Genre Tags
Start by including broad music genre tags. These help YouTube's algorithm understand the core of your music and suggest your videos to users browsing specific genres.
Here are some examples:
- Music Genre: Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, Jazz, Country, etc.
- Sub-genres: Alternative Rock, Indie Pop, Trap, Lo-Fi, Classic Rock, etc.
Artist-Specific Tags
Leverage your artist name to improve search visibility. Include various iterations of your name, both with and without descriptive terms.
Examples include:
- Your Artist Name: "John Doe", "JD Music", etc.
- Descriptive Terms with Artist Name: "John Doe Official", "John Doe New Song", etc.
Song Title Tags
Break down your song's title into keywords and use them as tags. This helps YouTube understand the specific content of your video and match it with relevant searches.
For example, if your song title is "A Million Miles from You":
- Primary Title: "A Million Miles from You"
- Breakdown Keywords: "Million Miles", "Miles Away", "From You"
Lyric and Mood-Based Tags
Tap into users searching for specific lyrics, themes, or moods by using relevant tags.
Examples include:
- Lyrics: "Missing You", "Loving You", "Can't Let You Go", etc.
- Moods: "Sad Songs", "Happy", "Nostalgic", "Upbeat", etc.
- Themes: "Love", "Heartbreak", "Dance", "Party", etc.
Instrument and Style Tags
Include tags related to the dominant instruments and unique styles in your song. This helps reach users looking for specific sounds or musical elements.
Examples include:
- Instruments: "Guitar", "Piano", "Drums", "Violin", etc.
- Styles: "Acoustic", "Electronic", "Hard Rock", "Smooth Jazz", etc.
Collaborator and Feature Tags
If your song features other artists, collaborate with producers, or has notable cover artists, use their names as tags to reach their audience as well.
Examples include:
- Featured Artists: "ft. John Smith", "with John Smith", etc.
- Producers and Collaborators: "prod. by Jane Doe", "collab with Jane Doe", etc.
Finally, stay updated with YouTube's trends and popular search terms in your music niche. Regularly adapt your tags to take advantage of these trends and maintain your videos' visibility. Good luck, and let your music shine on YouTube!