I consider this the most complicated topic on steemit. This is because a well crafted post can miss its audience and go down the drain with a little or no views. And a post with lesser quality can get millions of views likely upvote if the Tags are properly selected. The system algorithm can't tell which is a better post just yet.
- Do not use your Custom Tag even if it relates to your post
If you belong to a community, discord or curation group ready to curate your work, then it is fine to use their custom Tag(Infact you can earn so much with just a little upvote from them) . but for a newbie, avoid creating your own Tags just because you feel it relates to your post(steemit is different from other social network) except of course you have a high reputation and trying to promote the tag.
See HERE for steemit Tags to select from.
Ps: If a tag isn't found there doesn't imply it can't be use. Tags there are just trending Tags, but the best option to get a wider audience. To get a more trending and recent tag, you may enter filter under Tags and topics.
Don't pick a tag because it is popular or because you find it cool
You may have tried random Tags in the past, from bitcoin to steemstem to Xyz. This is not a bad move but not good either.
Trying to use the bitcoin Tags, the Eos, the Steem, busy etc where most of the Steemit biggest players are may pay off sometimes but only when you are knowledgeable enough to get the attention of those already in it. So if you know less about them, your post may gain views but no reward. And also note that the more popular a tag gets, the more likely posts placed there get covered by newer posts.Don't just select, Compare!
If you are considering using any of the popular steemit Tags, ensure you make a little comparison. Two Tags can serve almost exactly the same purpose but not trending at same level. Bitcoin/crypto/blockchain can be similar but by checking the SBD payout against Steemians by the side of steemit.com/tags you can tell which is best to use at that moment.
- Don't use "disjointed" Tags
The word disjointed was purposely used in quote to imply Tags that aren't related. The fact that you use a word once in your writing does not mean it deserve a tag from that section. The Steemit system is built to function in a way that all related Tags are sorted for and automatically placed in the right category. And that is why a post with the bitcoin tag as the primary tag can still be trending in crypto or blockchain section.
- Don't just assume, copy!
By copy here i don't means to plagiarise. If you are still in doubt of the right Tags to use, google up related post on steemit
Nb:by adding steemit to a search sorts out only steemit related post
View about three of these post and get similar Tags from the top players.
Nb: All this rule may still not work if you have a poor followers base say below 150 (just like mine) but don't worry it will come in handy when you finally do. Also you have a maximum of 5 Tags per post and this may increase with your rep, use them wisely
Please Resteem, Upvote and follow.