Tags
Tags are free keywords that an editor attaches to a content item as metadata, to classify it, group it with other items and find it again. Unlike a controlled vocabulary, they are not set in advance. Editors pick an existing label or create a new one when they need it. They are one of the forms of content classification.
Definition and how it works
A tag is a quick way to connect content that does not sit in the same place in the site tree, such as every article in a campaign or every resource tied to an event. That is also its weakness. Without shared rules, "AI", "Artificial intelligence" and "GenAI" end up splitting one topic into three lists.
In Jahia, an editor attaches tags to a content item to sort it or find it again. Editors select or create them while editing, with autocomplete suggesting those already used on the site. They are managed at site level and shared by every language, so the same term applies on each language version. A Tag Manager gives an overview with each term’s usage count and lets you rename them. Unlike a category, which lives in a dedicated tree maintained in the Category Manager, a tag can be created by an editor on the spot. When the value must be controlled, a category fits better.
Academy documentation: managing a site’s tags
Related terms: Category · Classification · Property (content) · Content item · Content Type
Resources that cover this term
Tags vs categories: the differences
Tags and categories both classify content, but with different governance. Free keywords leave editors in control. Categories enforce a structured, controlled vocabulary.
| Concept | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|
| Category | A term organized in a dedicated tree and managed by administrators. Editors choose from existing categories without creating new ones. |
| Classification | The general principle of applying metadata (tags, categories, keywords, properties) to organize content and find it again. |
| Property (content) | A dedicated property, such as a closed choice list in the content type, works better than a free keyword when the value must be controlled. |
Tags in practice
A campaign produces blog posts, an event page and two studies. These items live in different sections. A shared label lets an editorial list display them together on the campaign page. With Augmented Search, Jahia’s site search module, the same keyword is taken into account and weighted in search results.
To keep this working over time, set a few writing rules (singular or plural, language, capitalization) and use the Tag Manager regularly to spot duplicates.
Frequently asked questions
Are tags shared by every language of the site?
Yes. A tag belongs to the site, so one term serves every language version. The Academy glossary describes tags this way. That works well for neutral vocabulary such as a campaign or product name. If the classification must show translated labels to visitors, categories are a better fit.
Do we need tags if we already use categories?
Tags and categories complement each other. Categories carry the official, stable and controlled classification that structures navigation and filters. Free keywords serve looser or temporary groupings, such as a campaign or an event, which editors can create as the need arises. The risk is duplicating the same vocabulary on both sides. Decide which one carries what.
How do we stop tags from multiplying into variants?
With simple rules and a little maintenance. Jahia’s autocomplete suggests terms already used on the site, which encourages editors to reuse them. The Tag Manager then shows the whole vocabulary with each term’s usage count and lets you rename entries. A regular review helps keep the vocabulary clean.