By Dan Davies 
Are WordPress tags good for SEO?
If you’re wondering whether to invest time in optimising your tags, this article is for you. We explore how WordPress tags and categories can boost site navigation and indirectly support SEO, along with actionable tips to enhance your WordPress site’s performance.
WordPress tags and categories are often a topic of debate when it comes to SEO. Some experts say they make little difference, while others argue that a well organised site can indirectly boost your search engine performance. In this guide, we’ll break down the essentials of using WordPress tags and categories for SEO, provide actionable tips, and answer frequently asked questions. Let’s get started!
What Are WordPress Tags and Categories?
WordPress offers two main tools to organise your content:
- Categories:
Think of these as the major sections of your website. They are hierarchical, meaning you can create subcategories (e.g., a gaming website might have main categories such as Tech, News, Reviews, and Guides). Categories help search engines understand the broad topics your site covers. - Tags:
Tags work like keywords or hashtags that group posts by specific topics. They are non-hierarchical and can be used to link related posts in a more freeform way. For example, if you write a review on a new game, you might add tags like “Open World,” “FPS,” or the game’s title. Although there is some debate over whether tags directly boost SEO, they enhance user experience by making it easier for visitors to find content they’re interested in.
How Do Tags and Categories Impact SEO?
Improved Site Navigation
Using tags and categories effectively makes your website easier to navigate. When visitors can quickly find related content, they tend to stay on your site longer. This improved user engagement sends positive signals to search engines, which may result in better rankings.
Enhanced Content Organisation
- For Search Engines:
Well organised content helps search engine crawlers understand your site’s structure. For instance, by “indexing” your category pages and “noindexing” your tag archive pages, you can avoid duplicate content issues and give Google clear signals about your content hierarchy. - For Users:
Categories provide a clear structure, while tags offer detailed connections between posts. This combination improves usability and keeps your audience engaged.
Actionable Tips for Using Tags and Categories
Here are some actionable tips to get the most out of your WordPress tags and categories:
1. Use Descriptive and Relevant Terms
Choose categories and tags that accurately reflect the content. For example, if you’re a gaming website, your categories might be “Tech,” “News,” “Reviews,” and “Guides.” Use tags for more specific terms like game titles, genres (e.g., “FPS” or “Open World”), and features.
2. Develop a Tag Plan
Avoid clutter by planning your tags ahead of time. Don’t overuse tags, stick to a handful of relevant keywords for each post. This keeps your site organised and prevents content from competing with itself.
3. Avoid Duplicating Categories and Tags
Ensure you don’t use the same term for both a category and a tag. This can confuse search engines and dilute your site’s authority. Instead, let each serve its distinct purpose: categories for broader topics, tags for detailed descriptors.
4. Noindex Your Tag Archive Pages
Since tag archive pages can sometimes lead to duplicate content, set them to noindex. This tells search engines not to include these pages in search results, keeping your site’s SEO strategy focused.
5. Optimise URL Structures and Breadcrumbs
Incorporate your categories into your URL structure and breadcrumbs. This gives extra context to your pages and can help search engines understand your site’s structure better.
6. Keep Your Content Organised with Subcategories
If you have a lot of content under one category, consider adding subcategories. This is particularly useful for large sites where detailed organisation can significantly improve user navigation.
Implementing Tags on Your WordPress Site
Adding tags is simple:
- Go to Your Admin Dashboard.
- Navigate to Posts > Add New.
- Find the Tags Box: Type in your tags, separating each with a comma.
- Follow Best Practices: Make sure your tags are descriptive and consistent.
Using these steps, you can easily integrate tags into your site’s overall SEO strategy.
How WP Odyssey Can Help
At WP Odyssey, our Skool community is designed to guide complete beginners and empower experts alike on their WordPress journey. We offer a thriving community where you can connect with like minded individuals, access hours of expert lessons in our classroom, and participate in daily live sessions that address specific topics and help overcome any roadblocks you might encounter. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your strategy, WP Odyssey is here to support you every step of the way.
FAQs: Are WordPress Tags Good for SEO?
Q1: Do WordPress tags help with SEO?
A: While tags themselves might not directly boost SEO, they improve site navigation and user experience. This can lead to longer visitor engagement and indirect SEO benefits by making your content more accessible.
Q2: Should I use tags on my WordPress site?
A: Yes, using tags is recommended. They work as a freeform way to group related posts, which can be particularly helpful on a site with varied content. However, it’s important to use them wisely and not overdo it.
Q3: What’s the difference between categories and tags for SEO?
A: Categories are used for broad, hierarchical organisation (e.g., Tech, News), while tags are specific keywords that describe details within a post. Both tools play different roles in enhancing user experience and content organisation.
Q4: How many tags should I use per post?
A: It’s best to use a manageable number of tags—only those that are most relevant to the post. Overusing tags can clutter your site and confuse search engines.
Q5: Can I improve SEO by noindexing tag archive pages?
A: Yes, noindexing tag archive pages helps prevent duplicate content issues and keeps your site’s SEO strategy focused on more valuable pages, like those for categories and individual posts.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways on Using WordPress Tags and Categories
In summary, while there is ongoing debate about whether WordPress tags directly impact SEO, using them in tandem with categories can create a well-organised, user-friendly website. This enhanced structure not only benefits visitors but also sends positive signals to search engines. By following the actionable tips above and working with experts like WP Odyssey, you can optimise your WordPress site for both search engines and your audience.
Take action today—review your current tagging strategy and see where you can make improvements. Your site’s organisation, user experience, and SEO performance are all worth the effort!