When you are new to the world of blogging, things like categories and tags may be overwhelmingly confusing. The two seem to be the same thing, right? While they are similar, categories and tags have distinct differences.
Categories
Categories are meant for a general grouping for your blog posts. Categories are general topics. They help readers know what your blog is all about. For instance, if your blog is about animals, you could use categories such as dogs, cats, birds, and fish. These categories can then be sub-categorized if you wish to do so. When you blog, it is crucial that you categorize your post. When you fail to do so, your post will go into the “uncategorized” category, making it a bit harder for readers to find what they are searching your blog for.
Tags
Tags are used to describe certain details of your post. In your hypothetical blog, when you write about a specific animal, such as a puppy, you can use tags such as feeding, training, and house breaking. Adding tags is not crucial to the blog post, but it is helpful for readers when they are searching for something more specific on a topic. You can add as many tags as you would like to each post as long as you make sure the tags are relevant and actually highlight its specific details.
While categories and tags are similar, the purpose of each is different. There is no formula or science when it comes to determining the number of categories or tags a specific post has. However, using both improves the usability of your blog, which is ideal for your readers.
