YouTube creators report frustrating keyword duplication bug in channel settings

YouTube creators trying to optimize their channels for better visibility are running into a strange and frustrating technical issue. Several users have recently reported a bug within the YouTube Studio settings where channel keywords automatically duplicate themselves after being saved.

The problem occurs in the “Basic Info” section of the channel settings. Creators input their desired keywords, which help YouTube understand and categorize their content for recommendations. However, upon clicking “Save,” many find their keyword list has doubled. For example, entering 10 distinct keywords results in 20 appearing, often pushing the channel over the 500-character limit allowed for keywords.

Creators have taken to platforms like the official Google support forums, Reddit, and X to share their experiences and seek solutions. User Faseeh Ansari detailed the problem on the YouTube Help forum, explaining they had tried standard troubleshooting like clearing browser cache, using different browsers, and testing on multiple devices, all without success. Many others quickly echoed the same experience.

The frustration is clear among affected users. One commenter on the YouTube Help thread described it as “driving me insane :(“ and “the most frustrating bug ever :(“. Another user on Reddit, AbreakNrun, simply stated, “yeah having that same issue over here. idk why its happening.” The issue seems widespread, affecting both new and established channels across various devices and browsers.

 YouTube Studio bug is duplicating channel keywords, frustrating creators’ SEO efforts. Users report issues across platformsSome creators reached out to TeamYouTube on X. The official support account initially suggested generic troubleshooting steps like clearing cache and restarting devices. When pressed further, particularly clarifying that the issue wasn’t related to video hashtags but channel keywords specifically, TeamYouTube advised users to submit formal feedback through YouTube’s reporting tool so the appropriate team could investigate. They haven’t publicly confirmed an active fix is underway based on the available interactions.

While waiting for an official solution, one user suggested a temporary workaround: intentionally adding only half the desired number of keywords, anticipating the duplication. This might keep the total character count under the limit, though it doesn’t resolve the underlying bug.

We’ll keep an eye out for any further developments and will update the article if and when there’s something to share.