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Tags help organize forum content by topic or category. Create tags to enable filtering, improve discoverability, and help users find relevant discussions.

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Creating Tags

Set up tags for categorizing posts by topic:
1

Access tag management

Navigate to /admin/tags in the admin panel.
2

Enter tag details

Provide the following information:
  • Name: Tag identifier (e.g., “General”, “Support”, “Feature Request”)
  • Sort order: Numeric priority for display ordering
3

Create tag

Click the create button. The tag becomes immediately available for use on posts.

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Tag Properties

Tags have two configurable properties:
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name
string
required
The tag’s display name, shown as a badge on posts and in filter interfaces.Guidelines:
  • Use clear, descriptive names
  • Keep names concise (1-3 words)
  • Use title case
  • Avoid abbreviations unless widely understood
Examples: “Bug Report”, “Feature Request”, “General Discussion”, “Tutorial”, “Announcement”
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sort_order
integer
default:"0"
Numeric value determining display order in tag lists and dropdowns. Lower numbers appear first.Recommended ordering:
  • 0-10: Primary categories (General, Announcements)
  • 11-50: Common topics (Support, Feature Requests, Bug Reports)
  • 51-100: Specialized topics (specific technical areas)
  • 101+: Archived or deprecated tags

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Assigning Tags to Posts

Users assign tags when creating or editing posts. Tags help categorize content for easier navigation.

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During Post Creation

When creating a post, users can select from available tags: 
1. Select tags from dropdown menu
2. Choose up to max_tags_per_post tags (configurable in settings)
3. Tags display as badges on the post

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Tag Limit

The max_tags_per_post setting controls how many tags can be assigned to a single post. Default: 3 tags. This limit prevents:
  • Tag spam
  • Over-categorization
  • Diluted tag effectiveness
Configure the tag limit in Forum Settings under the max_tags_per_post option.

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Tag-Based Filtering

Tags enable content filtering throughout the forum:

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Post Listings

Users can filter posts by tag to view only content in specific categories: 
/posts?tag=feature-request → Shows only posts tagged "Feature Request"

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Multi-Tag Filtering

The system supports viewing all posts with a specific tag through the tag filter interface:
  • Click any tag badge to filter by that tag
  • Tag filters apply to the post listing
  • Clear filters to return to full listing

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Tag Pages

Each tag has a dedicated page showing all associated posts:
  • Chronological ordering (newest first)
  • Pagination for large tag collections
  • Tag statistics (post count)

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Tag Management

Administrators can modify and organize tags through the tag management interface.

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Editing Tags

Update existing tags to refine categorization:
1

Locate tag

Find the tag in the tag list at /admin/tags.
2

Modify properties

Update the tag name or sort order:
  • Name changes: Affect all posts with this tag
  • Sort order changes: Reorder tag display throughout forum
3

Save changes

Click the update button. Changes apply immediately across the forum.
Renaming a tag updates it on all existing posts. This is useful for standardizing terminology but affects all historical content.

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Deleting Tags

Remove tags that are no longer needed:
1

Select tag

Find the tag you want to delete in the tag list.
2

Click delete

Click the delete button next to the tag.
3

Confirm deletion

The tag is removed from all posts and deleted from the system.
Deleting a tag:
  • Removes it from all posts immediately
  • Cannot be undone
  • Does not delete the posts (only removes the tag association)
  • May orphan content if it was the only categorization method

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Bulk Operations

The tag management interface displays all tags with their current usage:
  • Tag name: Current identifier
  • Sort order: Display priority
  • Post count: Number of posts using this tag (if displayed)
  • Actions: Edit and delete buttons

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Best Practices for Tag Organization

Follow these guidelines to create an effective tagging system:

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Start Simple

Begin with 5-10 core tags covering your forum’s main topics. Add more tags as your community grows and needs become clear.
Core tags for most forums:
  • General/Discussion
  • Support/Help
  • Feature Request
  • Bug Report
  • Announcement

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Naming Conventions

Do:
  • Use clear, specific names (“Bug Report” not “Bugs”)
  • Maintain consistent formatting (all title case or all lowercase)
  • Use standard terminology your community understands
  • Keep names concise but descriptive
Don’t:
  • Use vague names (“Misc”, “Other”, “Stuff”)
  • Create overlapping categories (“Help” and “Support”)
  • Use special characters or emojis
  • Include version numbers or dates in tag names

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Tag Hierarchy

Organize tags by importance and frequency: 
High Priority (order 0-10):
- General (0)
- Announcements (5)

Medium Priority (order 11-50):
- Support (10)
- Feature Request (15)
- Bug Report (20)
- Tutorial (25)

Low Priority (order 51+):
- Off-Topic (50)
- Meta (55)

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Tag Consolidation

Periodically review and consolidate tags:
  1. Identify underused tags: Tags with few posts
  2. Merge similar tags: “Help” + “Support” → “Support”
  3. Update posts: Manually retag or delete before removing
  4. Archive old tags: Delete tags for outdated topics

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Tag Limits

Setting appropriate tag limits prevents over-categorization:
  • 3 tags: Recommended for most forums
  • 1-2 tags: Small forums with focused topics
  • 5+ tags: Large forums with complex categorization needs
More tags per post doesn’t necessarily improve organization.

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User Guidance

Help users understand your tagging system:
  • Document tag purposes in forum guidelines
  • Use descriptive tag names that explain themselves
  • Monitor tag usage and correct misapplications
  • Consider creating tag descriptions (if implementing custom fields)

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Maintenance Schedule

Review tags regularly:
  • Monthly: Check for new tag needs based on post patterns
  • Quarterly: Consolidate underused tags
  • Yearly: Comprehensive tag system review and reorganization
A well-maintained tag system improves content discoverability without requiring constant user intervention. Focus on clarity and consistency over complexity.

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