Functional assay illustrated that SNHG12 upregulation promoted cell proliferation, migration, EMT, and stemness in CD133‐ESCC cells, and SNHG12 depletion brought about on the contrary results in CD133+ cells, suggesting the oncogenic role of SNHG12 in ESCC. This evidence concerns the gene SNHG12 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.