Why should I tag someone else's discussion?

@CODYMAC (1356)
San Diego, California
July 3, 2012 11:24pm CST
Hello, my fellow myLotters. I have an issue with placing a tag on someone else's discussion. The reason is because I feel that it is the responsibility of the person starting it. There was one time where I clicked on skip, but I never meant to. I can understand if someone does it accidentally, and as a courtesy give it a tag. But am I wrong in this? I mean, I know that there is the option, but what is the real reason for it? Is it that people just cant think of a tag, or because of something else?
6 responses
debrakcarey
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
4 Jul 12
It certainly can be abused, I know that for a fact. Unsavvory tags are often put on someone's discussions depending on the tagger's opinions. I don't tag at all. I realize I probably should, but like the ratings buttons, I don't make use of these features. It makes me mad that others abuse them at times, so I don't use them out of a rebellious nature.
Cody Stewart
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
4 Jul 12
Hello... I understand completely. I think it is a good thing to tag. But, if it is like a discussion about my day or something that is just to vent, I say no. Either way, I just tag my own...
doroffee
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
4 Jul 12
I agree so much. People are searching for discussions, not excerpts of answers. It's the original poster's responsibility and their right to place tags that/if they would like to.
Cody Stewart
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
4 Jul 12
Right. Now I just tag my own and leave the discussion tagging to others who want the task...
peavey
@peavey (16936)
• United States
4 Jul 12
I'm guilty of skipping tags out of laziness. It becomes a habit after awhile. There are times, though, when I think we should place a tag and that's when our response contains something different from the original post. When the tags are descriptive, we can find the discussion and similar ones through search, but if there are no tags or if the tags don't really pertain to the discussion, it won't show up in search. At least that's the way I think it works.
Cody Stewart
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
4 Jul 12
Nice to know. I guess that I thought that the tags I posted just automatically were added. I didnt know that they would not show up because it might not pertain to the discussion. That is why some times my tags dont show up...interesting. Thanks.
jazel_juan
@jazel_juan (15745)
• Philippines
4 Jul 12
I do not mind putting tag as it is not that of an effort, usually the tags i used are common ones that i see within the discussion.. or sometimes related to the discussion so people could easily find it.
Cody Stewart
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
4 Jul 12
Hello, jazel... I use to do it too. I thought I was obliged to do it. But then I thought, Im gonna use the escape button, and just get on with my day...
sishy7
@sishy7 (27166)
• Australia
4 Jul 12
I don't really put too much thoughts with tagging. Most of the time the discussions I am responding to already have sufficient tags attached. I've seen some users have their own unique reasons in adding a tag; for instance, they put a certain word or their usernames, perhaps to help them when they search for certain discussions that they have responded to.
Cody Stewart
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
4 Jul 12
I never thought of that either. I think that tagging is important. It serves its purpose. I just do it on my own discussions now...
1 person likes this
BabyCheetah
@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
4 Jul 12
If I got tags to add I'll add them which is most of the time. Sometimes I have no tags and have to skip but I do wonder why we have the option. But I think of it as helping out others which is a good and nice thing to do. Some people don't know how to tag I guess and can use a bit of help as well maybe :)
Cody Stewart
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
4 Jul 12
You are very right. Some people may not know how to , or what to tag. I think that if I had a discussion I wanted to start, I would think of a way to get it noticed by others. I understand the use of tags, and how important they are for searches, but I also dont think that some discussions even need a tag. Like for instance, "my dog ate grass today". It pretty much explains itself. I did help a few times and it got old quick. I thought, "I am done tagging someone else's discussions!" I have not done it since. Sometimes even though we see the escape button, we almost always feel obligated to stick around... If you know what I mean...