Tags - which are somewhat similar to categories - are a great tool for highlighting key concepts in posts. While categories are most used for grouping similar posts in a general sense, tags are generally used for more specific distinctions and can be seen as keywords. Most importantly, tags help define your content. This allows for users to perform more specific searches and find links to related topics.
NOTE: Unlike categories, tags do not have any hierarchical structure.
To access all of your current post tags or create new ones go to the Post Tags page under Dashboard > Posts > Post Tags.
Post Tags Page
The Post Tags page contains three sections: Popular Tags, Add New Tag, and a tag list. The page also features a search bar at the top right for quickly finding the desired tag.
The Popular Tags section simply lists all of the most popular tags in alphabetical order. The font size of a particular tag directly reflects its popularity. In other words, the bigger it is, the more it's being used in posts. Clicking on a tag will open up the Edit Tag page for that particular tag.
The tag list displays all of your existing tags. It shows the tag's name, description, slug, and the number of posts that the tag is used in. If you scroll over a tag name in the list, the following links appear: Edit, Quick Edit, and Delete.
Master List of Tags
Compiled in 2020, the Master List of Tags is a condensed version of the most frequently used tags on our website. Before posting the final version of your blog post, you may wish to refer to this list to gain insight on what sorts of tags have already been used. Please note that while you are tagging it is imperative to double-check the capitalization of your tag and that it lines up with the information in the document as the tagging system is case sensitive.
Add Tags
Tags can be added in two different locations on the WordPress Dashboard: the Post Tags page, and the Add New Post and Edit Post pages.
Through the Post Tags Page
The Post Tags page (located at Dashboard > Posts > Post Tags) contains an Add New Tag section. To add a new tag from here, simply:
- Enter the tag name
- Optional: Add a description of your tag
- Click on the Add New Tag button - you can now use your tag for all of your posts
Through the Add New Post or Edit Post Page
The Add New Post and Edit Post pages (found by going to Dashboard > Posts > Posts and clicking on the Add New button or on an existing post, respectively) contain a Post Tags section that allows users to add new tags on the fly. Simply type all your new tags in the Add New Tag field, each separated by a comma character (',') (note that you cannot add a description for tags using this section). Once you are done, click on the Add button and you'll add your new tags to both the post you're working on and the Post Tags page. If you wish to add a description for the tag that you've created using this method, you can do so by editing the tag.
IMPORTANT: If you use this method to add new tags, the post that you are working on will automatically be tagged with your new tags. If you do not want this, please add new tags through the Post Tags page.
NOTE: The Post Tags section may be disabled for your Add New Post and Edit Post pages. To enable the Post Tags section in this case, simply go into Screen Options (found on the top-right of the page) and ensure that the Post Tags checkbox is checked off.
Edit Tags
Tags can be edited by visiting the Post Tags (Dashboard > Posts > Post Tags) page. If a tag is edited, the change will be manifested in all posts and other areas where the tag is being used.
Quick Edit
You can quickly edit a tag by simply scrolling over its name in the category list on the Post Tags page and clicking on the Quick Edit link; however, this option only allows you to edit the tag's name.
Full Editing
To fully edit a tag, click on that tag's name (or the tag's Edit link) in the tag list on the Post Tags page to open the Edit Tag page. On the Edit Tag page, you can edit the tag's name and description. Once you're finished with your changes, simply click on the Update button and you're done!
Delete Tags
To delete tags:
- Go to Dashboard > Posts > Post Tags
- Find the desired tag in the tag list OR search for it using the search bar at the top right of the page
- Hover over the tag and click on the Delete link that appears OR check off the tag's checkbox, select Delete in the Bulk Actions dropdown, and click on the Apply button.
Tagging Posts
To tag a post:
- Go to the post's Edit page (go Dashboard > Posts > Posts and then click on the post's name).
- NOTE: Tagging a new post in the new post page (Dashboard > Posts > Posts - click on Add New button) is exactly the same.
- Find the Post Tags section on this page.
- NOTE: The Post Tags section may be disabled for your Add New Post and Edit Post pages. To enable the Post Tags section in this case, simply go into Screen Options (found on the top-right of the page) and ensure that the Post Tags checkbox is checked off.
- Type in all your tags in the Add New Tag field, each tag separated by a comma character (','). You can also select tags from a list of most used tags by clicking on the Choose from the most used tags link and then selecting your desired tags (the size of a tag is proportional to its popularity)
- Click on the Update link in the Publish section of the page to finalize changes.
Troubleshooting
This is a section for popular troubleshooting questions. We'll try to expand this section depending on the type of questions we generally get about tags.
Why are tags not displayed on my post?
Your display options are the most likely cause for tags not showing up on your posts. If you are using the UBC CLF Advanced theme, go to Appearance > Theme Options > Display Options and find the Post Options section and its Post meta data section. Ensure that the Display the post meta data checkbox is checked off. There are currently two meta data templates. Selecting the second template will display the categories and tags of the post. Don't forget to Save Changes!
NOTE: You can change the post meta data template to your liking by entering whatever suits you in the Post meta data template entry field. A good place for beginners to start is to try to mix and match the shortcode and HTML already provided in the two existing templates alongside some custom text, if needed.