Quick Summary
Tags are specific keywords that group related posts together across categories.
Use 3–10 relevant tags per post, and avoid creating tags with only one post.
Tags improve user navigation, help with internal linking, and can support SEO if tag archives are optimized.
Avoid duplicate or inconsistent tags, and audit your tag list regularly.
Use SEO plugins like Yoast or RankMath to control indexing of tag archive pages.
Tags can be added to menus, sidebars, or content to guide users to related topics.
For complex content, consider using custom taxonomies instead of regular tags.
What Are Tags in WordPress?
WordPress tags are simple labels you can add to blog posts to describe specific topics or themes within the content. They help group similar posts together based on shared details, making it easier for readers — and search engines — to find related content.
While categories are used to broadly group your content (like “Recipes” or “SEO Tips”), tags are more specific. Think of them as keywords or topics that highlight what a post is about in more detail.
Why Do Tags Exist in WordPress?
Tags exist to improve content discoverability. When a user clicks on a tag like “On-page SEO,” WordPress shows all posts with that tag, creating a helpful archive page. This enhances navigation, keeps users engaged, and supports internal linking.
Examples of Real WordPress Tags:
- keyword research
- gluten-free
- travel tips
Each tag groups posts that mention or focus on that topic, helping users easily explore more of what they’re interested in.
How Do WordPress Tags Help with Site Navigation?
WordPress tags play an important role in helping visitors move through your site more easily. When used correctly, they act like shortcuts that connect related posts — even if those posts belong to different categories.
Let’s say someone is reading a blog post about email marketing tips, and you’ve added a tag like email subject lines. If they click that tag, they’ll see all your other posts that talk about subject lines — no matter what broader category those posts are in.
This creates mini content hubs, allowing users to:
- Discover more content on the same topic.
- Stay longer on your site.
- Navigate without relying only on menus or search.
Example Use Case:
A food blog may have categories like “Breakfast” or “Dinner,” but use tags like:
- vegan
- Gluten-free
- 30-minute meals
This allows users to filter content based on their preferences, improving both experience and engagement.
In short, tags make your site feel smarter and more helpful, especially for readers who want to dig deeper into a specific topic.
What’s the Difference Between Tags and Categories in WordPress?
At first glance, tags and categories in WordPress may seem similar — both help organize your content. But they serve different purposes, and using them correctly can improve both navigation and SEO.
Categories = Broad Groupings
Categories are hierarchical, meaning you can have parent and child categories (e.g., “Fitness” > “Yoga”). They define the main topic of a post — like the folder your post belongs in.
Tags = Specific Descriptors
Tags are non-hierarchical, more like keywords that describe the details of a post. They help users find related content across different categories.
| Feature | Categories | Tags |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Broad topics or sections | Specific topics or keywords |
| Hierarchy | Yes (parent/child possible) | No |
| Required? | One is required per post | Optional |
| Example | Recipes | Vegan, Quick Lunch, Low Carb |
Best Practices for Using WordPress Tags in 2025
Using tags the right way can significantly improve your site’s navigation, user experience, and even search performance. But if misused, tags can create clutter and confusion — both for users and search engines.
Follow these updated best practices to get the most out of WordPress tags in 2025:
Use 3–10 Relevant Tags per Post
Only add tags that truly describe the content of your post. Adding too few may limit discoverability; adding too many can dilute the focus.
Stick to 3 to 10 meaningful tags that naturally connect the post to related content on your site.
Avoid Duplicate or Similar Tags
Using multiple versions of the same idea (like SEO, seo, Seo tips) can split your content and confuse your archive structure.
Before creating a new tag, check if a similar one already exists.
Clean Up Unused or Low-Value Tags
Tags with only one post linked to them offer little value. Over time, these can pile up and hurt navigation.
Regularly audit your tags and delete or merge ones that don’t serve a clear purpose.
Use a Consistent Tag Format
Be consistent in how you write tags:
- Choose either lowercase (on-page seo) or Title Case (On-Page SEO) and stick with it.
- Avoid mixing styles — it looks unprofessional and may confuse search tools.
Can Tags Improve SEO in WordPress?
Yes, WordPress tags can help with SEO — but only if used strategically. When implemented correctly, they improve internal linking, help organize content, and guide users through related posts. However, if misused, they can lead to thin content pages, duplicate issues, and crawling inefficiencies.
Optimize Tag Archive Pages for Search Engines
WordPress automatically creates an archive page for each tag. These pages can rank well in Google — but only if they provide real value.
To optimize them:
- Add a short introductory paragraph explaining what the tag covers.
- Only use tags that group together 3 or more high-quality posts on a focused topic.
- Avoid indexing empty or near-empty tag archives.
Use SEO Plugins to Control Indexing Settings
Plugins like Yoast SEO and RankMath let you decide whether tag archives should be indexed by Google.
Here’s the rule of thumb:
- Set noindex for weak or thin tag pages (1–2 posts).
- Allow indexing for well-structured, useful tag archives.
- Customize title tags and meta descriptions to add relevance and clickability.
Avoid Keyword Stuffing Through Tags
Using too many tags or creating dozens of similar ones just to insert keywords doesn’t help. In fact, it can trigger duplicate content warnings or confuse search engines.
Focus on intentional tagging that supports topic clusters and improves user navigation — not keyword density.
In summary: WordPress tags can improve SEO when they’re used to structure content logically, guide users through related topics, and reduce content fragmentation. Poorly implemented tags, however, can do more harm than good.
How to Use Tags in Navigation Menus and Sidebars
Tags aren’t just for post metadata — you can use them directly in your site’s navigation to improve discoverability and user engagement. Adding high-value tags to menus or sidebars helps visitors quickly find content they’re interested in, especially on larger blogs.
Avoid Keyword Stuffing Through Tags
WordPress lets you manually add tag archive pages to your site’s primary or secondary menus.
To do this:
- Go to Appearance > Menus.
- Click on Screen Options (top right) and enable the Tags checkbox.
- Select the tags you want to add and click Add to Menu.
This works best when the tag groups a meaningful collection of posts (e.g., “Case Studies” or “Beginner Guides”).
Use the Tag Cloud Widget (With Caution)
The Tag Cloud widget displays a list of your most-used tags, usually in the sidebar or footer. It’s a quick way to expose users to related content paths.
However:
- Avoid using it if you have hundreds of tags — it becomes cluttered.
- Style it cleanly or use plugins like Better Tag Cloud to improve visuals and filtering.
Link Tags Strategically Within Posts
You can also link to tag archive pages directly inside your content. For example, if you mention “local SEO,” hyperlink it to the tag page for local SEO.
This creates contextual internal links and improves topical navigation — something both users and search engines appreciate.
Pro tip: Use tags in navigation only when they genuinely help the user journey, not just because they exist.
Should You Use Custom Taxonomies Instead of Tags?
While WordPress tags work well for most blogs and small websites, there are times when they aren’t enough — especially when your content has complex filtering needs or you’re running a custom post type website (like listings, events, or directories). In these cases, custom taxonomies might be the better solution.
What Are Custom Taxonomies in WordPress?
Custom taxonomies are like advanced versions of categories or tags. You can create your own labeling systems based on your content structure.
For example:
- A real estate site might use a custom taxonomy like
Property Type(Apartment, Villa, Studio). - An event website could use
Event Type(Webinar, Conference, Workshop).
These taxonomies are created manually (via code or plugins) and can be applied to posts, pages, or custom post types.
When Should You Use Custom Taxonomies Instead of Tags?
Consider custom taxonomies when:
- Tags or categories don’t capture the depth or complexity of your content.
- You want to enable advanced filtering or faceted search.
- You have custom post types (like products, portfolios, events) that need their own classification.
If you’re just running a standard blog, tags are usually enough. But for niche or content-heavy websites, custom taxonomies improve structure and help users drill down into content more effectively.
How to Create Custom Taxonomies
You can create custom taxonomies using:
- A plugin like Custom Post Type UI (no coding required).
- Code via
register_taxonomy()in your theme or plugin files.
Always plan your taxonomy structure in advance — a messy setup is harder to clean up later.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Using Tags in WordPress?
Using WordPress tags the wrong way can clutter your site, hurt SEO, and confuse users. Many site owners make these mistakes without realizing how they affect structure, navigation, and crawlability.
Here are the most common tag-related mistakes — and how to avoid them:
Using Too Many Tags per Post
Adding 15 or more tags to a single post is rarely helpful. It can dilute your content structure and make your tag archive pages thin or repetitive.
Best practice: Stick to 3 to 10 highly relevant tags that are already in use elsewhere on your site.
Creating Tags That Only Apply to One Post
If a tag is used on just one post, it offers little value to users or search engines. It creates a standalone archive page that doesn’t group any related content.
Fix: Regularly audit your tags and either reuse them on other posts or remove the ones with low usage.
Using Tags as Keyword Stuffing Tools
Many people mistakenly use tags to insert SEO keywords — like best seo tools, seo plugin wordpress, seo 2025. This leads to spammy tag archives and doesn’t actually help rankings.
Instead: Use tags to improve navigation and content grouping, not just to target keywords.
Inconsistent Tag Naming
Using different formats for similar tags — such as seo, SEO, Seo, or On-page SEO vs on page seo — leads to duplicates that fragment your content.
Tip: Choose a consistent naming style (e.g., lowercase) and apply it sitewide.
Not Managing Tags Over Time
Most websites accumulate tag clutter over time. If left unchecked, this can result in hundreds of unused or redundant tags.
Solution: Perform a tag audit every few months using plugins like:
- Simple Tags
- WP Term Manager
- Bulk Delete
How to Audit and Clean Up Old Tags in WordPress
Over time, WordPress sites can accumulate hundreds of unnecessary or poorly used tags — especially if you’ve been blogging for a while. These unused or duplicate tags can clutter your backend, confuse users, and create thin archive pages that harm your site’s SEO.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to auditing and cleaning up your tags effectively:
Step 1: Identify Low-Value Tags
Start by looking for:
- Tags that are only used on 1 post.
- Tags with no traffic or engagement.
- Tags that are too similar or overlap in meaning.
You can manually scan the Tags section under Posts > Tags, or use a plugin like Simple Tags or TaxoPress for a more detailed analysis.
Step 2: Merge Similar or Duplicate Tags
If you have multiple tags like seo tools, SEO tool, and tools for seo, they should be merged into a single, consistent tag.
Use a plugin such as Term Management Tools or Simple Tags to bulk merge them.
Step 3: Delete Unused or Irrelevant Tags
Any tag that links to only one post — and doesn’t have potential for reuse — can usually be deleted.
Make sure to:
- Update the post to remove the deleted tag.
- Avoid deleting tags that were linked elsewhere unless you redirect them.
Step 4: Standardize Tag Naming Format
Choose one style and apply it across your site:
- All lowercase (
seo,content writing) - Or Title Case (
SEO,Content Writing)
Avoid mixing both. Standardization helps maintain a clean and user-friendly structure.
Step 5: Decide Which Tag Pages to Index
Using plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath, set noindex on tag pages that:
- Contain only 1–2 posts
- Don’t provide additional value
- Are unlikely to attract search traffic
You can leave indexing on for strong, focused tag archive pages that act as content hubs.
Conclusion: Use Tags to Enhance UX and SEO — Not Just as Labels
WordPress tags are more than just labels at the end of a post — they’re a powerful tool to improve how users explore your content and how search engines understand your site.
When used correctly, tags:
- Help users find related posts without relying on search or menus.
- Create content clusters that strengthen your site’s topical authority.
- Support internal linking and reduce bounce rate by guiding user journeys.
- Offer SEO benefits when tag archive pages are well-structured and not thin.
But when used poorly, tags can create clutter, thin content pages, and indexing issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tags should I use per WordPress post?
It’s best to use 3 to 10 relevant tags per post. Avoid over-tagging, as it can clutter your site structure and confuse search engines.
Do WordPress tags help with SEO?
Tags can improve SEO indirectly by strengthening internal linking and organizing related content. However, poorly managed tags can harm SEO if they create thin archive pages or duplicate content.
What’s the difference between tags and categories in WordPress?
Categories are broad, hierarchical topics, while tags are specific, non-hierarchical keywords. Categories group content by main theme; tags group content by detail or topic.
Should I index tag archive pages?
Only index tag archives if they include multiple high-quality posts and provide value. Set thin or low-value tag pages to noindex using SEO plugins like Yoast or RankMath.
Can I display tags in my site’s navigation or sidebar?
Yes, you can add tag archive links to custom menus or use the Tag Cloud widget in your sidebar. This helps users discover content based on shared topics.
How do I clean up unused or duplicate tags in WordPress?
Use plugins like Simple Tags, TaxoPress, or Bulk Delete to audit and manage your tag list. Merge similar tags and delete ones linked to only a single post.
