A visual representation of site tags, sometimes SEO-irrelevant and can create keyword stuffing risks.
Have you ever looked at a website feature and wondered if it was helping or actually hurting your SEO? I know the feeling of trying to use every feature available, only to confuse my website visitors. I want to clear up the confusion about one of the oldest website widgets out there.
I am going to explain exactly What is Tag Cloud? and share my 15 years of experience on why you should think carefully about using it today. I will give you simple, actionable advice on its impact across different platforms and industries, so you can make the best choice for your site.
What is Tag Cloud?
A Tag Cloud is a visual representation of the most frequently used content tags or keywords on a website. It usually appears as a cluster of linked words, often found in the sidebar or footer of older blog sites. The size of each word in the cloud generally shows how popular or how often I use that tag.
In the past, people thought a Tag Cloud was a great way to show search engines and users what my website was about. However, for modern SEO, I find it creates problems like too many low-value internal links. I now prioritize clearer navigation and content structure instead.
The Impact of the Tag Cloud on CMS Platforms
The Tag Cloud feature exists on many platforms, but I recommend a different approach to internal linking and organization for each one.
WordPress
WordPress still includes a Tag Cloud widget, and many users still add it to their sidebars by default. I strongly advise against using this widget because it creates hundreds of links on every page, diluting my overall SEO value. I prefer to use carefully chosen navigation links and content hubs instead of a scattered cloud.
Shopify
Shopify does not typically feature a traditional Tag Cloud widget in the same way, but my collection filters serve a similar purpose. I make sure my product filters are clean and logically grouped, not just a random cloud of product tags. For e-commerce, I need clear navigation to guide the customer to a sale, not confuse them.
Wix
While Wix is simple and user-friendly, I find that even simple features like a Tag Cloud can complicate a clean layout. I avoid using it because it offers little organizational benefit on a small site and can distract the user. I focus on creating a clear main menu and well-labeled pages for my visitors.
Webflow
Webflow’s focus on clean design and structured CMS makes it easy to bypass the need for an old-fashioned Tag Cloud. I build my internal linking using logical CMS collections and manually place relevant links inside my content. This method gives me precise control over my site’s SEO flow, which is much better.
Custom CMS
When I build a site on a custom CMS, I never include a Tag Cloud feature in the design phase. I prioritize a clear hierarchy and a robust internal search function to help users find content. This controlled approach prevents the creation of poor SEO practices like excessive, low-quality tag pages.
Tag Cloud Application in Different Industries
Regardless of the business, I use modern SEO best practices to organize content, moving away from the outdated Tag Cloud concept.
Ecommerce
For an e-commerce site, I need customers to move efficiently towards a purchase. Instead of a Tag Cloud, I use well-structured main navigation, sidebar filters for product attributes, and clear breadcrumb trails. Every link I use must serve a direct purpose for the user journey.
Local Businesses
A local business website needs to be concise and focused on services and location. I avoid the clutter of a Tag Cloud entirely and use the homepage and service pages to clearly list what I do and where I do it. Clear calls-to-action are much more valuable than a word cloud.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
For a SaaS company blog, content organization is about building topical authority, not displaying every tag. I use content clusters where my main article links logically to a few related, high-value support articles. This is a much better way to signal expertise to Google than a cloud of words.
Blogs
Even though the Tag Cloud originated with blogs, I advise my blog clients to remove them for better SEO. I prefer organizing content by main categories and linking to a few highly relevant posts at the end of each article. I want to guide the reader purposefully, not give them a random collection of links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Tag Cloud good or bad for SEO?
In modern SEO, a Tag Cloud is generally considered bad because it creates many low-quality, thin pages and dilutes a site’s link equity. I recommend avoiding it and focusing on clear navigation.
What should I use instead of a Tag Cloud?
I suggest using a clear main menu, well-labeled content categories, and internal links that are manually placed within the content body. This gives you much better control over user flow and SEO value.
Does Google penalize a website for using a Tag Cloud?
Google does not directly penalize the cloud itself, but the result of using one often leads to SEO issues like thin content and keyword cannibalization. These issues can cause your site to rank poorly.
If I use tags on my blog, should I let the platform create a tag cloud?
No, I recommend disabling the auto-generated Tag Cloud feature. You can still use tags internally to group content, but do not display them as a widget on every page.
