# Tags not user creatable?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tags-not-user-creatable/912817>\
**Category:** Site Feedback\
**Created:** [June 24, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tags-not-user-creatable/912817 "2020-06-24T19:13:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tags-not-user-creatable/912817/1 "2020-06-24T19:13:33Z")

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I see when we draft an OP there’s the option to add “optional tags” to the post. Couple issues:

1. It seems that users cannot create new tags
2. There seem to be no tags populated in the system by default

So, perhaps this is just a feature that we haven’t gotten around to setting up or maybe there’s a configuration that needs to be tweaked to allow users to define tags. Not sure what the plan is, but for the current state the input box on the Create a New Topic panel is totally useless.

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**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tags-not-user-creatable/912817/2 "2020-06-24T19:17:04Z")

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The tagging system on Discourse is boxed. It expects you to use tags sort of like sub-forums.

It’s going to take admin some time and effort to get it working right. Be patient.

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**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tags-not-user-creatable/912817/3 "2020-06-24T19:27:50Z")

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I can see this being particularly useful in places like the Game Room for specific sports and in politics for specific elections, countries and/or issues. Of course thread starters need to be diligent in their use.

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**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tags-not-user-creatable/912817/4 "2020-06-24T19:31:35Z")

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A mixed blessing, to be sure, but threads in some forums can require a tag from a pre-approved list before you’re allowed to post a new thread.

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**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tags-not-user-creatable/912817/5 "2020-06-24T19:35:13Z")

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That would strike me a too restrictive considering how broad most of our categories are, but maybe in ABTM that might be viable to cut down on the noise.