Best SoundCloud Tags to Use for More Exposure
Best SoundCloud Tags to Use for More Exposure (Real Talk for Artists)
Let’s get one thing straight: tagging on SoundCloud isn’t just some throwaway step when you upload a track. It’s one of the most underrated ways to actually get *heard*. If you’re serious about getting plays, likes, and followers (without selling your soul to some shady promo service), your tags better be working as hard as your beats.
What Tags Actually Do on SoundCloud
Tags are how SoundCloud figures out what your track is and who might like it. Think of them as your personal SEO. When someone searches for “chill lo-fi beats” or “UK drill 2025,” SoundCloud scans tags and metadata to serve up results. So if your tagging game is trash, you’re basically invisible.
Use Your Genre Tag First (And Make It Count)
SoundCloud gives priority to your main genre tag. Choose the one that best describes your track—and don’t get fancy. Be accurate, not clever. If you make house, tag it as house. If it’s trap soul, tag it trap or r&b.
Here are a few genre tags that perform well:
- hip hop
- lofi
- trap
- edm
- house
- drill
- techno
- r&b
- indie
- alternative
Pro tip: Don’t try to invent a new genre unless you’re also inventing a cult following to go with it. Stick to what people are actually searching.
Use Keyword-Based Tags Next
After your main genre, add 5–10 supporting tags that describe the mood, style, instruments, or context of your track.
Examples of strong tags:
- chill
- sad
- study beats
- hard bass
- guitar
- freestyle
- instrumental
- party
- vocal
- underground
Think about the kind of search terms a listener might type in when they’re craving your sound. Then tag your track accordingly.
Location-Based Tags = Highly Slept On
If your track has local flavor, own it. Tags like atlanta, london, berlin, or philly rap can attract regional listeners and scenes. This works especially well if you’re trying to get on the radar of local blogs or venues.
Collab & Community Tags
If your track features another artist, always tag their name (if they’re on SoundCloud). Also consider tagging the crew, label, or community you’re part of—like soulection, chillhop, or boilerroom.
What Tags to Avoid
- Spammy tags: Don’t tag Drake if he’s not even breathing on your beat. That’s how you get blocked, not discovered.
- Too many tags: More than 15–20 tags just looks desperate. Quality > quantity, always.
- Misspellings: No one is searching for “hiphhop” or “l0-fi”. Double-check those typos.
Hidden Bonus Tip: Tag Consistency Builds Identity
If you keep dropping tracks under the same 3–5 genre/mood tags, you start building a tag-based identity. People searching for those terms will keep running into you. That’s how algorithms *and* humans start recognizing your vibe.
Final Thoughts
Good tags won’t fix a bad track—but they will get a good track in front of the right ears. So stop rushing through the upload process. Take a minute, pick smart tags, and let the platform do what it does best: connect creators to listeners.
Tag smart, get heard. Simple as that.