"Tag" used as a tag in pixiv.
It is required for every artists who submit their artwork in pixiv to fill in tags in order to make artworks visible for search. However there are people who think that tagging their own illustrations are a troublesome thing to do. Hence the word "tag" is used. There may be reasons for the artist to use purely "Tag" as the keyword for their illustrations, which each artists have different reasons for using it. As of now, there are currently 529 submitted illustrations in total that used "tag" as their keyword.
Tag as a keyword search
Main Article : Search
Main Article : Feature
As mentioned in pixiv's introduction found anywhere on the web, pixiv tags play the most crucial role in forming the extensive database and all contents within the site itself. While it is mentioned as a "keyword for illustrations", users mainly treat them as a search keyword to look for illustrations they want instead of paying their full attention to the keywords used in pixiv illustrations.
However, aside from keywords that are highly connected to the artwork itself, there are also Thoughts Tag which it can be found in List of Ranking Tags. These are the tags that have nothing to do with keywords, but is instead a community based tags that expressed their thoughts through the use of tags. They are also considered as keywords to a certain extent.
General Idea of Tagging.
The tagging system used in pixiv is in a point, similar to the ones used in Nico Nico Douga, however, pixiv's tags is a lot more stricter.
For starters, users have the absolute flexibility to attach any tags onto their illustrations anyway possible. However, other users can only attach additional tags and edit tags that are attached by users other than the original artist themselves.
For instance : (A is the original artist, B is user 1, and C is user 2)
Let's say A submitted an illustration
| Users | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attach tags | O | O | O |
| Edit Tags (set by A) | O | X | X |
| Edit Tags (attached custom tags, not by A, but B or C) | O | O | O |
| Cool down period | X | O | O |
| Tag Lockdown | O | X | X |
In this case, all tags that were attached by A would be marked with an asterisk (*), while custom tags that are not set by A, would be the ones without an asterisk.
When B or C performed a tag edit, there will be a brief cool down period where B or C could not perform anymore edits until a certain period is over, this is to prevent edit abuse that could potentially harm A, the original artist. A however will not have the restriction applied. Aside from that, A also has the right to lock any tags, including his/her own, or the custom tags that are attached by other users. The maximum tags for every single illustrations found in the website would be 10, and once the maximum number is reached, B and C can no longer attach anymore custom tags on the illustration unless A clears off certain custom tags in order to make space for B and C to attach again.
Due to the rules applied, there are several issues and problems pertaining the tag system :
1. It's not rare nor uncommon to see users engage themselves in tagging battle in order to fill in all the necessary spaces. This happened especially on illustrations drawn by famous artists. Due to the limit, sometimes the users will initiate arguments on which tag should be suitable for that specific artwork at the artwork details page, particularly using the messaging system in order to settle the argument, which sometimes bother the artist who are not used to the system.
2. It is also not rare nor uncommon to see artists using tags that are decided by the community, particular tags that indicate praises to tag their own illustrations, in hopes of boosting their own popularity. This is commonly known in Japan as "自演" (Self act), which is better known in the west as "attention grabbing" or "attention whore". This act is particularly a problem in pixiv, due to the user ratio who actually conduct this act is higher.
Users, especially artists are highly advised to be very careful upon submitting their own illustrations. Do refer to "List of Ranking Tags" for more information regarding on the usage of such tags.
Timing and Method
To properly tag an illustration, one should pay attention to the following points:
- It's not about tagging whatever you want on your artworks, but keywords that are highly related to your artwork. For instance, if your work is about your own original character, then you may use the following tags : オリジナル (Original), or 創作 (Creation), in order to let other users have an easier understanding on your artworks. It is also advisable NOT to use your own nickname for tags.
- Tagging too much will also pose a problem as well. The point is not to raise your page counts, but keywords so that it will make others search for your artworks easily. Tagging too much will disable custom tags, which serve as a better chance to increase your popularity.
- Attach your tags with game series may also help searching for your artworks easier. This is especially useful for games with no official names for the main protagonist (notably protagonists where you give custom names instead of preset ones). For example： "DQ5 + Main Character」→ Main Character (DQ5)"
- For major, famous series, while it is not necessary to use the above method (like Cloud Strife, Madoka Kaname and so on), using pair tags would also help searching easier, especially the name of series they are from.
- As pixiv currently do not accept spaces (pixiv International however rectified the issue. See below for more details), it is also important to attach an underscore in order to link all letters. For example：仮面ライダーTHE_FIRST).
- As pixiv is currently Japanese heavy, it is also advised to use Japanese tags instead of English in order to make artworks easier to find. Please use pixiv Encyclopedia as a guide on which tags to use upon submission
Frequent Cases For Copyrighted Materials
There exist certain cases where some artworks did not receive proper classifications. For example, Azusa Nakano is a girl with black hair and brunches or Ponytail. It is a common feature where everyone who know about the character knew about her prominent feature. Hence brunches or ponytail is never actually used in pixiv, despite it should be tagged this way, due to that reason, the illustration will not end up in the ponytail or brunches search field.
Due to the limitations, it is advised to think properly before tagging.
Word Limit
Currently, regardless of half or full width, the word limit for any tags is set at 30 characters. Tags will only display the first 30 in case the tag itself is beyond 30 characters. For names that are beyond 30 characters, please refer here for more info
View Tag Data
2010年2月4日よりタグ別に絵の閲覧数を見ることが出来るようになった。
ピクシブ百科事典（ピクペディア）のタグ記事に、記事が作られた日からの閲覧データが表示される。
タグの隣のアイコンは事典へのリンクになっている。
このデータはそのタグがついていた期間分の集計しか出てこないので
後からつけられたタグにおいてつける前の分の閲覧数はカウントされない。
またpixiv内で新規に出来たタグは一定時間経過しないと記事を書くことは出来ないが
その期間内の集計もカウントはされない。
よって自分の絵にそれまで1件も無かったタグをつけて投稿したとしても
閲覧数の推移を確かめることは出来ない。
更に新規タグの記事作成可能になるまでの待機期間は非公開の絵にのみつけられている場合、
無期限に延長される。
そのため自分の過去絵を非公開にして適当なタグをつけて待機時間をやり過ごして
新作にそのタグをつけて新作のみの閲覧数の推移をチェックするという事も不可能である。
Tags in pixiv.com
Main Article : pixiv Encyclopedia
Related Topics
List of All Related Articles on Tags
Main Article : Database
For Article Requests
Main Article : Article Requests
Related User Projects, Image Response and Materials
External Link
- ［pixiv］Help (JAPANESE) - Refer to the section「イラスト投稿について（→タグってなに？）」
