PiXELWiT

I’ve implemented the new WordPress tagging feature and I think I like the results. You can see my current tags in the lower right corner of the sidebar (oddly enough, it’s the widget titled “Tags”). Did you notice that I said “tag list” rather than “tag cloud”? No? Not really paying attention? Just sort of reading words without attaching any meaning to them? Kind of letting your mind wander? Blah blah blah, words words words… Who has the time to pay attention? I can empathize. You need information and you need it fast.

Which is where the tags list comes in.

A glance at a well formatted tag list quickly answers the following questions:

1. What are the most commonly discussed topics? The visual format of a tag list is designed to emphasize topics with the highest number of related posts. This gives the person visiting your site for that one quirky article you wrote 3 years ago (who knew “artificial monkey insemination” would become such a hot topic?) a chance to get acquainted with your most abundant and possibly best material.
2. How is the content distributed? The tag list provides an efficient way for newcomers to determine what you and your blog are all about. Sure, they might have come to your site for the artificial monkey insemination tips but when they see your “Fine Dining” and “MegaDeth” tags they’ll know you’re a much more complex individual than they initially thought.
3. What other topics does this person write about? Whether they came to your site for Fine Dining or to learn how to knock-up artificial monkeys; a tag list can make a diverse collection of content easy to digest and readily accessible.

In short, tag lists help visitors “discover” your content. Start using WordPress tags today.

Are you convinced? Do you think WordPress Tags are a useful tool or a passing fad?

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