Is it a tag or is it a keyword?

The concepts of tags and keywords tend to cause confusion, we also notice this when we give a demo. And what is the role of categories? In this blog Sebastiaan de Ruiter explains the difference, but also the advantage of working with tags instead of folders.

The disadvantage of working with folders

When we give a demo, often one of the first questions is: can we transfer our directory structure? To get right to the point: no, we can't. What the reason for this is, I have already described in detail in a previous blog. Folders are like containers where you put a file. If you don't look in the right bin, you won't find what you're looking for. Chances are that a predecessor once laid out the folder structure, and the question is whether you think the same way. By working with tags and keywords, you apply a much smarter structure. What's the difference?

What are keywords

Keywords are technically part of a file. Think of a file's size, creation date, author and file name. With photos, you then also have things like color space and coordinates. With textual files such as a spreadsheet, a presentation or a document, keywords are also the words used in the text. When you move a file from storage location A to storage location B, the keywords also go with it.

What are tags?

Tags are characteristics that the creator or administrator of the file adds to the file. They help further describe and position the file. These can include, for example, product categories or brands you carry within your company or production locations. They are more or less separate from the file, but define the structure and relevant themes to which the file is related. So tags are a smart way to structure and organize content without putting them in separate folders or directories. So you can also attach multiple tags to a file at the same time, and you can apply (access) permissions to tags to determine who can and cannot access a file.

Categorizing in DAM

When you upload content in a DAM system, the keywords come along automatically. You choose or add the tags separately. The success of your DAM system is largely determined by the set of keywords and tags, or your metadata structure. This allows employees to search and filter from their own perspective. Now that's smart.

Curious?

Want to learn more about the benefits of Digital Asset Management? Then download our DAM guide. Immediately discover how Comrads can help your brand? Then request a no-obligation demo right away. We like to think along with you. Now and in the future.