Only seven?! gasp

The maximum number of tags we can add in our threads/stories is seven. For me, it's enough but for others, it's not.

This post is a continuation of my previous post on Site Feature Suggestions, with the focus on tags. Yay!

I believe we should come up with guidelines or a format on how to tag our stories. Have I mentioned how hard it is to use the exclude tag feature because users come up with ridiculous tag names I don't even know exist? Or how messed up the tag section is?

Increasing the max limit would just, I'm afraid, make my aff life more complicated, as users would just tag every tag possible related to or not with their threads and stories just because they can. As it is, we already have stories with conflicting tags, like angst and fluff, as pointed out by a friend.

Was all that necessary? No. Just tag the main characters and the rest of the dwarrows, the wizard, the halfling, the elf prince, the king, the humans and all of middle-earth can go to the CHARACTERS section. Seriously though, don't give away too much. Leave some mystery for your readers.

So how should we tag our stories/threads? Perhaps, we can reach an agreement.

Kili, Tauriel and Legolas are my main characters. And even though I ship Kiliel, I can still keep my readers on their toes by not tagging any ship name (Kiliel or Legriel). (In AO3, you can indicate the relationship - kili/tauriel but we can do that in Characters/Description/Foreword). The 'not' tag is essential for me since it means that this is not a legolas x kili fanfic. (I have no other way of showing that here in AFF unlike in AO3 where you can categorize your story as: F/F, F/M, M/M or a combination). The last tag is optional since it is understood that fics here in AFF are romance fics unless stated otherwise: crack, comedy, horror, etc. So perhaps, a second genre can be used as tag.

Note that I didn't use tauli or any other made-up ship name that only I know. Use the official ship name and readers will find your story. If you can, avoid using several tags that mean the same thing (ex. kiliel, tauli, kitau, liriel, kiliandtauriel). But if you haven't reached the limit and you have no other tag to add...then, fine. Haha! Then, I just tagged the main characters (although optional because I already tagged the ship name) and the fandom. The last tag is a major giveaway but being a Kiliel shipper, I'd appreciate if the author warns me about this.

No need to tag the rating. Just tick the rated m or trigger warning box.

Unless your shop is exclusively for a certain kpop group, please don't use the group tag. So those searching for stories, won't find request shops.

Therefore, I don't think it is necessary to increase the tag limit. We just have to use the right tags. Otherwise, I might just read the tags and not the chapters to know what the story is about.

I would like to suggest a form that we would just fill-up while editing the foreword, like that of AO3 - a simpler version perhaps: (type: story/request shop/contest/others)| (if it is a story: F/F, F/M, M/M, all) / (if it is a request shop: graphic, layout, review, oneshot) / (if a contest: story/graphic/layout/ulzzang/other) | (if it is a story or contest: fandom/main kpop group/ship name)| (if it is a story or contest: main characters) | (if it is a story or contest: genre) |

I know that this might seem stressful for users who just want to post a story without having to fill out details about their story, but I think this would improve our story search system. These new categories combined with our current categories (newest, latest, completed, oneshot, etc.), would be an efficient way of searching fanfics.

Share if you have other ideas :D

-Keeper (i need to update my newbie guide)

Comments

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kpopartory #1 Feb 11, 2014 13:29:00

yeah the tags *nod nod* a good example, some are the same thing but having several tags, it could be grouped together in one tag.
if I can help, I'd volunteer in cleaning the tags *raises hand*

peachysoo #2 Feb 11, 2014 12:39:52

I know on AO3, some tags are actually tagged together if they have similar themes/kinks/character names. So basically for all the misspelled tags/weird tags people come up with, maybe it's easier to just group them together and if you end up clicking on that one tag, it also provides the other tags that are associated with that one. Or if someone misspells a tag, maybe there can be a system to override those misspelled tags. But that might be too difficult and may be can be something saved for a rainy, boring day, I don't know.

I never have problems with tags either because it's not often that I use group tags unless I only have like 3 tags listed. I've also made up tags for new pairings, but for all I know, I may convince others to write those odd pairings and the tag will get new fics for it. You never know, so I put them in. (Plus, it makes me feel good when I see the tags I've created and see people using them.)

I seriously don't know how people can use more than 7 tags, especially when most stories are based around 1-2 characters/pairings max and usually only focus on 1-2 genres. I mean, that's about 4 right there and then you can easily add the group tag if wanted and have 5. That's more than enough and if one has warnings for their fics, they don't need to tag them, they can just list what to expect in the foreword. It's much easier and more efficient that way. And really, if you need more than 7 tags, you're probably giving your story away a bit too much.

But that's just my thinking.

cutepenguin #3 Feb 11, 2014 09:41:51

For me it's genre tagging...I've a very very very big problem with it....
Angst and comedy? Does it even go?
The latest trend is character death (main characters) and happy ending...so the dead was risen? How can dying be happy?

Ok...I ranted to much...I should make my own blog...hahahaha

informantxgirl #4 Feb 11, 2014 09:09:14

My biggest thing is misspelled tags. I mean, I get it, names might be tricky, but what is the point of tagging a fic "violance"? Is it a special form of violence? Committed on violas?

EolinDociak #5 Feb 11, 2014 08:15:32

I don't mind tags but if there are tags like aaa and aaaa and aaaaa and some more then what those tags mean? Also what was rhe difference between tag and t tag? They are the same and I don't think we need so much tags. Basics tags would be enough.

aleric #6 Feb 11, 2014 07:16:30

But my #macaroons tag :(

LOL Kidding. But I agree with a filter system similar to fanfiction.net (if that's what you were talking about). The filter system at ff.n leads you straight to what fanfiction you're looking for so hopefully a feature similar to that is considered to be installed in the future. Of course, with that—there's many other aspects to consider.

daggerisms #7 Feb 11, 2014 06:55:34

I do wonder if there's any way we can clean up the tags. I totally wouldn't mind, but the thing is, there are SO many, and what will happen to users that lose those specific tags? Have you let the Helpers know, btw? They got that massive master...post...thing LOL they have a ton of suggestions there (totally left one myself, for a mascot bc why not XD)

That would be a very large project, and idk if we can really make it in any way like AO3's or FF.net's systems (copyright and what have you). Fun fact about tumblr tags: only the first five show up in searches, and all others after those are tags used solely for your own purposes.