Organising content effectively is crucial for both user experience and search engine optimisation (SEO) when managing a Wordpress website. WordPress provides two primary ways to classify content: Categories and Tags. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes. Understanding and using their differences can improve site navigation, content discoverability, and SEO rankings.
Understanding WordPress involves getting to grips with its themes, plugins, and other features that make it a powerhouse CMS. But what is WordPress, and how do we use it? In this article, we will explain the differences between WordPress categories and tags, their impact on SEO, and how to use them effectively from a web design agency perspective.
What Are Categories in WordPress?
Definition
Categories are a way to group broad topics in WordPress. They create a hierarchical structure, meaning you can have parent categories and subcategories to organise content logically.
Key Features of Categories
- Mandatory: Every post must have at least one category.
- Hierarchical: You can create parent categories with nested subcategories.
- Broad Grouping: Used to define the general topic of a post.
- URL Structure: /category/category-name/.
Example Usage
A food blog might have the following categories:
- Recipes
- Cooking Tips
- Restaurant Reviews
Under “Recipes,” subcategories could include:
- Desserts
- Quick Meals
- Vegetarian Dishes
This structure helps users quickly find relevant content and allows logical content segmentation.
How to Create and Manage Categories
- Navigate to Posts > Categories in WordPress.
- Enter the Category Name and Slug (URL structure).
- Choose a Parent Category (if applicable).
- Click “Add New Category.”
Best Practices
- Limit categories to 5-10 broad topics to keep content structured.
- Avoid assigning a post to too many categories (max 2-3 per post).
- Always assign a category—don’t leave posts as “Uncategorised.”
- Use efficient and specific naming conventions that are relevant to your post topic.
Source: WordPress Learn
What Are Tags in WordPress?
Definition
Tags are specific descriptors that classify content by keywords. Unlike categories, tags are not hierarchical and serve as a way to identify particular topics in a post.
Key Features of Tags
- Optional: Posts do not require tags.
- Flat Structure: No parent-child relationships.
- Specific Keywords: Helps users find content related to a post.
- URL Structure: /tag/tag-name/.
Example Usage
A blog post titled “Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe” might be in the category “Desserts” but have tags like:
- Chocolate
- Baking
- Quick & Easy Recipes
- Gluten-Free
This allows users to find related posts across different categories. For example, clicking the “Chocolate” tag might show posts featuring chocolate from Desserts, Drinks, and Snacks.
How to Create and Manage Tags
- While editing a post, navigate to the Tags section.
- Enter relevant tags (separated by commas).
- Click “Add”.
Best Practices
- Use relevant, specific tags to connect related posts.
- Avoid tag stuffing (using too many tags per post—limit to 5-10).
- Don’t duplicate tags and categories (e.g., having “SEO” as both a category and a tag).
Key Differences Between Categories and Tags
The following table provides a clear comparison:
| Feature | Categories | Tags |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Group content into broad topics | Describes specific details of a post |
| Hierarchy | Yes (Parent & Subcategories) | No |
| Required? | Yes (at least one per post) | No (optional) |
| URL Structure | /category/category-name/ | /tag/tag-name/ |
| SEO Impact | Helps with site structure | Helps users find related content |
| Best Practices | Use 5-10 broad categories | Use relevant, specific keywords (avoid duplicates) |
Source: AIOSEO
How Do Categories and Tags Impact SEO?
Categories and tags play a crucial role in SEO by enhancing site structure and user navigation. A well-structured WordPress website helps search engines understand the content hierarchy, making it easier for them to index pages correctly. Categories provide a broad organisational framework, ensuring content remains logically grouped, while tags allow users to find related topics across different categories. When used correctly, both can help improve crawlability, reduce bounce rates, and increase engagement. However, misusing them—creating too many categories, using redundant tags, or duplicating content—can lead to diluted keyword signals and lower SEO rankings. Ensuring proper implementation and regular audits of categories and tags can significantly boost a website’s SEO performance and user experience.
Common SEO Mistakes
To maximize the benefits of categories and tags, it’s essential to avoid these mistakes and implement SEO best practices. Below, we explore some of the most common SEO errors related to categories and tags and provide practical solutions to optimize their use effectively.
Too Many Categories
- Problem: Overloading a site with too many categories can confuse navigation and dilutes content structure.
- Solution: For the ‘average’ site, stick to 5-10 main categories and avoid creating unnecessary subcategories.
Duplicate Tags and Categories
- Problem: Using the exact words as a tag and a category can create duplicate content issues, making it harder for search engines to determine the most relevant page.
- Solution: Ensure that tags are distinct and serve a different purpose from categories.
Overusing Tags
- Problem: Adding too many tags per post creates multiple low-value archive pages that may not rank well in search results.
- Solution: To maintain organisation and SEO value, keep tags specific, relevant, and limited to 5-10 per post.
Leaving Categories and Tags Unoptimised
- Problem: Not properly optimising category and tag pages can lead to thin content and poor search engine indexing.
- Solution: Add meaningful descriptions and consider using a plugin like Yoast SEO to noindex low-value tag pages.
Creating Tags for Every Post Title
- Problem: Some users create unique tags for every post title, which leads to an overwhelming number of one-post tags that add no real value.
- Solution: Use tags strategically by grouping related content instead of mirroring post titles.
When to Use Categories vs. Tags?
- Use Categories when defining broad topics.
- Use Tags when linking similar content across multiple categories.
- Avoid using both interchangeably.
Source: WordPress Learn
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too many categories and tags
- Leaving posts as “Uncategorised”
- Tag stuffing (50+ tags per post)
- Duplicating tags and categories
- Not cleaning up old categories and tags
Source: AIOSEO
Which is Better?
Neither categories nor tags are inherently better; instead, they serve different purposes. Categories are required for every post and help establish a well-structured site by grouping content into broad themes. In contrast, tags are optional and allow for a finer classification of topics. When used correctly, both enhance website organisation, improve SEO, and create a better user experience. Regularly reviewing and optimising your categories and tags ensures your site remains well-structured and easy to navigate, benefiting users and search engines.
- Neither is “better”—they serve different purposes.
- Categories are required, but tags are optional.
- Properly used, both enhance site organisation, SEO, and user experience.
- Regularly audit and clean up your categories and tags to maintain an effective taxonomy.
Source: WordPress Learn
What Next?
Choosing the correct taxonomies can influence the success of your online business. By carefully considering your user’s needs and evaluating each benefit a tag or category brings, you can find a solution that aligns with your goals.
Or skip that process and contact one of our WordPress experts. We can continue the conversation on finding the ideal solution for your website needs. Our comprehensive knowledge, insights, and information will help you make an informed decision.
We’ll aim to help you navigate the complex world of websites and discover the best ways to promote your business online. Let’s talk.
