Web2.0: What are TAGS?

In the most simple form, "tags" are essentially keywords to find matching topics. They have become popular with the rise in blogging and social networking. Tags are usually selected informally and personally by the author/creator of the item, and not by a set of standards. Typically, an item (website, blog post) will have one or more "tags" associated with it. Once again, these are chosen informally and are subjective to the user who selects them. You'll notice that I have selected the following "tags" for this blog post to be filed under: web2.0, tags, keywords, blogging (see below).

Tags are sometimes displayed as a "cloud" image (left). The darker and larger the "tag" item means that it is more popular than the others. The cloud can change as new topics emerge or as more people become interested in a topic. If you click on an item in a "tag cloud", you will be contributing to the popularity of that tag.

As an example of using tags, you can click on this link. It will take you to a popular website where you'll see the most recent blog posts about the tag of "Israel" (which happens to be the most popular tag at the time of writing this post). If you are interested in a different topic, such as "politics", just enter it in the search box. Alternatively, click on the "tags" link below if you'd like to find more information about tagging. :)

Filed in: web2.0, tags, keywords, blogging