Should I use Blog post Tags like Keywords?

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Topic summary

Using blog tags like keywords/hashtags on Shopify does not improve SEO. Shopify tags don’t function as search keywords, and Google doesn’t give them special ranking weight.

What tags actually do: they create internal filtered tag pages that help readers navigate and discover related posts. These pages often have thin content and add little SEO value.

Risks: using too many tags can lead to thin/duplicate tag pages and resembles keyword stuffing, which offers no ranking benefit.

Best practices:

  • Keep tags limited, consistent, and organized—use them like simple categories.
  • Prioritize creating helpful, reliable, people‑first content (referenced Google Search guidelines).

Outcome: Consensus that tags are for organization and user navigation, not for SEO gains. Action item is to refine tag use and focus on content quality. Discussion essentially resolved with clear guidance.

Summarized with AI on November 25. AI used: gpt-5.
1

We have been using Tags on our blog like keywords, or like old school hashtags, is that a good practice?

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Hi @AmandaAdama! Using tags on Shopify blog posts like keywords or old-school hashtags isn’t harmful, but it doesn’t really help SEO the way many people assume. Shopify blog tags don’t act like search keywords, and Google doesn’t give them special weight. What they actually do is create internal filtered pages for each tag, and those pages usually have very thin content, so they add little value from an SEO perspective. Tags are still useful, but only for helping readers navigate or discover related posts on your site. The best approach is to keep tags limited, consistent, and organized, more like simple categories rather than keyword stuffing. :blush:

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Hello there,

Sophia here from Tapita AI SEO & Speed Optimizer!

Here’s my answer: Tags are mainly for organizing content and helping readers navigate related posts inside your blog. They don’t boost Google rankings the way traditional keywords do, and using too many tags can even create thin/duplicate tag pages.

The key is still the same Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content.

4

Hi @AmandaAdama

I would have to disagree, unlike social media hashtags, Shopify creates a unique URL for every single tag you use (e.g., /blogs/news/tagged/keyword). If you use them like keywords, you inadvertently generate hundreds of “thin,” low-quality pages. This causes Duplicate Content issues and wastes your Crawl Budget, as Google spends time indexing these useless lists instead of your actual articles.

Treat tags strictly as broad Categories for user navigation (e.g., “Tutorials,” “News”). Keep the list small and controlled rather than using them for keyword stuffing.

Hope this helps!

1 Like
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thanks for you help!