Squarespace Categories and Tags Guide
TL;DR:
- Categories and tags work on a per-collection basis, not site-wide
- Categories are for broad topics, tags are for specific details
- Add them through the content editor when creating posts or products
- Display options depend on your template and Squarespace version
- Manage existing categories and tags through the Pages panel
- They help with site organisation and can improve SEO
Categories and tags are your main tools for organising content in Squarespace. They help visitors find what they're looking for and can improve how search engines understand your site.
Understanding Categories vs Tags
Categories are broad groupings for your content. Think of them as the main sections of a bookstore. On a fashion site, you might use categories like 'Men's Wear', 'Women's Wear', and 'Accessories'.
Tags are more specific. They're like the detailed labels you'd find on individual books. For that same fashion site, tags might be 'summer', 'casual', or '2023 collection'.
The key difference is scope. Categories define what something is, tags describe what it contains or relates to.
Adding Categories and Tags
You add categories and tags when creating or editing individual pieces of content. The process depends on your Squarespace version:
Version 7.1: Open your collection page (blog, events, products) from the Pages panel. Click on the item you want to edit. You'll see category and tag fields in the content editor sidebar.
Version 7.0: The process is similar, but the interface looks different. Categories and tags appear in the post settings area when you're editing content.
Mobile App: Access varies by version, but you'll typically find these options in the post settings or options menu after selecting your content.
Keep your spelling and capitalisation consistent. Categories and tags are case-sensitive, so 'Summer' and 'summer' will be treated as different tags.
How Categories and Tags Display
Where your categories and tags appear depends on your template and page type:
Blog Posts: Most templates show categories and tags as metadata below the post title or at the bottom of the post. Some templates let you choose whether to display them.
Events Pages: Categories usually appear at the bottom of event listings. Tags often show next to the event description.
Product Pages: Categories can create navigation menus or filters. Tags might appear in product descriptions or as searchable keywords.
Version 7.0 Note: Older templates have different display options. Some may not show categories and tags at all, depending on the template design.
Managing Your Categories and Tags
To edit existing categories and tags:
- Go to the Pages panel
- Select your collection page
- Click the gear icon for settings
- Choose 'Manage Categories' or 'Manage Tags'
From here you can rename, delete, or merge categories and tags. Be careful when deleting as this removes them from all associated content.
Categories and tags only appear on your live site once the content is published. Draft posts won't affect what visitors see.
FAQs
How many categories and tags should I use?
Keep categories limited to 3-7 main topics. Tags can be more numerous, but don't go overboard. Too many options can overwhelm visitors.
Can I use the same categories across different collection pages?
No, categories and tags are specific to each collection. Your blog categories are separate from your product categories.
Do categories and tags help with SEO?
Yes, they help search engines understand your content structure. They can also create additional pages that might rank for relevant searches.
Why aren't my categories showing up?
Check that your content is published and that your template supports displaying categories. Some older templates don't show them by default.
Jargon Buster
Collection: A group of similar content items like blog posts, events, or products
Metadata: Information about your content that helps describe or organise it
Template: The design framework that controls how your site looks and functions
Wrap-up
Categories and tags are simple tools that make a big difference to how people use your site. They help visitors find related content and give search engines a better understanding of what you offer.
Start with a few broad categories, then add specific tags as you create content. Don't overthink it – you can always adjust them later as your site grows.
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