diff --git a/backend/channel/src/index.py b/backend/channel/src/index.py
index 00af483b..2745bbf5 100644
--- a/backend/channel/src/index.py
+++ b/backend/channel/src/index.py
@@ -59,21 +59,13 @@ class YoutubeChannel(YouTubeItem):
             "channel_name": self.youtube_meta["uploader"],
             "channel_subs": self.youtube_meta.get("channel_follower_count", 0),
             "channel_subscribed": False,
-            "channel_tags": self._parse_tags(self.youtube_meta.get("tags")),
+            "channel_tags": self.youtube_meta.get("tags", []),
             "channel_banner_url": self._get_banner_art(),
             "channel_thumb_url": self._get_thumb_art(),
             "channel_tvart_url": self._get_tv_art(),
             "channel_views": self.youtube_meta.get("view_count") or 0,
         }
 
-    def _parse_tags(self, tags):
-        """parse channel tags"""
-        if not tags:
-            return False
-
-        joined = " ".join(tags)
-        return [i.strip() for i in joined.split('"') if i and not i == " "]
-
     def _get_thumb_art(self):
         """extract thumb art"""
         for i in self.youtube_meta["thumbnails"]: