Wordpress categories v. tags

[Code Name Mama]

I just got my own domain name and switched to a Wordpress blog.

I have a newbie question about the difference between categories and tags. When I exported my old blog posts over, it changed all the tags to categories. What is the difference? Are there advantages to having fewer categories?

tia

[Code Name Mama]

well I found this answer: http://en.support.wordpress.com/post...ories-vs-tags/

but I'd still like to hear about what wordpress users do.

[KoalaMama]

I see categories as a key part of my site's organization system, with each indicating a section or specific topical area of the site. I use them the same way I would a menu-based navigation on a regular website, or how I would organize my files on my computer. I give a lot of thought to how categories are set up on my sites and rarely create them on the fly.

I use tags as a way to further optimize my content with keyword phrases relevant to the article. I try to use the same tags whenever it makes sense, as a way to help users find other similar articles. I create new tags as needed, and try to tag all articles with as many (relevant) tags as possible.

I hope that helps!