Need help with AO3 tagging? Look no further, this is a guide to help you figure out how you can tag with maximum effectiveness.
Disclaimer: Before we begin, I would to stress that AO3 does not impose any rules for tagging; users can tag however and whatever they like [
1]. You are not in any way required to follow the guidelines in Part I.
Part I: Guidelines for Effective TaggingPart II: AO3 Tagging Background and ExplanationPart III: Handy List of Harry Potter Additional Tags________________________________________
_______________________________
Part I: Guidelines for Effective Tagging(Complete AO3 tagging FAQ
here)
General Tips1. When you
add a tag, just type the tag partially and choose from the auto-complete list.
2. Use
tag search if you want to know what tags are available.
3. Concept might not be canonised yet? Tag it and be specific. Use full names/non-ambiguous wording and descriptions. This helps wranglers know exactly who or what you are referring to. They can canonise or syn them to the right tags instead of leaving them unfilterable or synning them to the generic metatags like the following:
- Fandom: Avengers (See subtags)
- Character: James (See subtags)
- Relationship: John/Mary (See subtags)
- Freeform: Super!Harry (Superhero? Superpowers? Superior? Which Harry?)
4. Separate different concepts with a comma or by entering them one at a time. Do not combine more than one concept in one tag. One tag can only be synned to one concept. Examples:
5. A metatag is an umbrella tag for relevant concept groups (subtags) beneath it. Clicking on a metatag will show all works tagged with the metatag (and its synonyms) and all its subtags (and its synonyms). So if you already tag
Angsty Schmoop or
Sentient Hogwarts there's no real need for you to tag their metatags,
Angst or
Hogwarts, respectively.
6. Don't tag variations of the same concept in the same fic. Relationship tags such as Johnlock, John Watson x Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock/John all gets synned to
Sherlock Holmes/John Watson.
7. Follow the categories given. Do not tag characters in the relationship category or fandoms in the freeforms. Wranglers cannot switch categories or edit your tag (capitalising canonical tags aside) so they will just leave wrongly categorised tag unfilterable.
I've followed General Tips #3, but my tag still hasn't been synned/canonised!1. Tag traffic for a larger fandom like Harry Potter is usually heavy. The wranglers will get to your tag in time. If it's been too long, contact
Support.
2. Are you referring to a freeform tag?
- Perhaps your tag still isn't clear enough to be synned. (See Part III for examples of clear tag formatting)
- Perhaps there are several users using the same tag to mean different things so it can't be canonised.
- Perhaps very few people are tagging for that particular concept so it can't be canonised yet.
What should I tag in Fandom, Character, Relationship and Freeform?
Fandom: Tag all relevant fandoms separately.
Character: Tag main character(s). (optional) Tag supporting character(s) by name if they are featured heavily or use the following character tags:
Minor Characters
Harry Potter Characters
Canon Characters
Original _ Character(s) (Female, Male, Child, House-Elf, Veela, etc)
Azkaban Warden Characters
Death Eater Characters
Gryffindor Students
Hogwarts Students
Hogwarts Founders
Hogwarts Staff
Beauxbatons Students
Hufflepuff Students
Marauders (Harry Potter)
Order of the Phoenix
Ravenclaw Students
Slytherin Students
Dumbledore's Army (Harry Potter)
Relationship: Tag main relationship(s). (optional) Tag supporting relationship(s) by name if they are featured heavily or use the following relationship tags:
Minor or Background Relationship(s)
No Romantic Relationship(s)
Undisclosed Relationship(s)
Freeform: Tag main or important genres, kinks, tropes, fusion, character tropes, concepts, locations, items, timeline/episode/chapter title, warnings not covered by Archive Warnings, minor/past/eventual/etc relationships, mentions of minor characters - the possibilities are endless.
My suggestion is to use at least one genre, one kink or trope or object, and one era or event that is heavily featured in your story. You can't go wrong. Here is an example:
"Romance, Angst, Misunderstandings, Kissing, Auror Harry Potter, Redeemed Draco Malfoy, Post-Hogwarts, Ministry of Magic Ball"
Go ahead and tag stuff that hasn't been canonised (e.g. Polyjuice Potion Went Wrong). It might be canonised someday!
________________________________________
_______________________________
Part III: Handy List of Harry Potter Freeforms/Additional Tags( Click to readCollapse )________________________________________
_______________________________
If you have further questions, please read the references given above or contact
AO3 Support (in the "What is your feedback about?" section, choose "Tag"). If you want me to add more resources or tips here, please let me know.
Rebloggable Tumblr Posts:
1,
2,
3
