I became aware of tagging when a computer consultant pointed out that we needed to add tags to the images on our websites. Until then I thought tags were the same as taglines, phrases used to embellish a title or logo. So I looked in my computer dictionary; “tag” was not defined. 

So I looked further. As you would expect, tags function as “labels” to identify pictures and content on your website. They are descriptive words or short phrases.

Their primary significance to writers is they help us get more hits to our websites and blogs by making them visible to search engines. You’ve  also probably run into them on social bookmarking sites like YouTube and Flickr and in some programs like Windows Live Photo Gallery. If you’ve worked with HTML and XML instructions, you are familiar with tags.  

If you are the one who maintains your website, you can use your web design or publishing program to easily and quickly insert the most commonly used tags. If you have a blog, adding tags is really easy. Right after you enter the title for your post, you’ll see a box or line labeled “tags.”

Google is the most used search engine, accounting for more than 70% of searches (compared to Yahoo – 15%; Bing – 10%; and Ask- 3%), so you want to be sure to make your tags friendly to Google.  Google frequently uses the title tag descriptions you write in the first line of search results. Google provides a manual to help you do that.

Several important things I’ve learned about tags are:  

• They need to accurately describe in summary fashion what’s being depicted, not by a list of key words or a list of synonyms.
• They should not be repetitive. Each page on a website needs to have its own unique descriptive tag.
• Phrases like “This is a page or picture about  <your subject>” are a waste of a tag. Use only words that describe the topic.
• If you use multiple words or phrases in a tag, separate them with commas.
• More important than tags are the titles each page needs and the short descriptions of each page that in 90 to 125 characters summarize the content of the page.

You’ll find tagging makes sense. It’s worth your time and effort to create search-engine friendly tags. They will bring readers to your books

Next week: How to Profit From eBooks Despite Digital Piracy.  

For current developments, check in on our What’s New and Developing page.  I update it daily because so many things are happening as publishing goes digital.

If you don’t know how to proceed with a book you have already written or one you plan to write? I can help. You can contact me directly for a free consultation at paul@9lives4yourbook.com.