General Forum Category Naming Process

[2TonWaffle]

It's difficult enough to come up with a name for your forum itself, the categories are another matter by itself. What is your process in generating the names for your different categories? Do you spend a large amount of time going through this or simply just giving it a generic name?

 

[Al]

Naming forum categories is a balance between creativity, clarity, and SEO. A name has to catch attention and create the right atmosphere for the community; it needs enough character to resonate with users without being vague or confusing. Creative names add personality to a forum and can make categories feel more engaging, but only if they’re still intuitive.

At the same time, clarity is key. Category names should make it clear what content goes where. Generic titles like “Game Reviews” or “Upcoming Releases” often work best because they avoid any guessing for users, making it easy for people to navigate and find what they’re interested in right away.

SEO also has a role, though it’s not the main focus. For example, a category named “Game Reviews” will perform better in search results than something overly stylized. Including a few strategic terms in category names helps new users find the forum without sacrificing clarity or usability.

Some names come easily, while others require more thought, especially as I consider how each name affects the user experience and supports the forum’s overall vibe. It’s a mix of brainstorming and testing to see what fits best for attracting and keeping members.

I try and be fairly obvious with my category and node names to avoid a situation where a user isn't certain where to post. You can use the node description to get creative. Here's an example of what I mean:



The part of the forum description in bold was going to be the forum name, but I wanted to have clarity. The creativity aspect comes in the description. These are good for SEO purposes. If someone was to search for "Zombie Games" they will (hopefully) find that section. Additional mention of specific games in the description enhances the SEO of the section.

 

[Cedric]

Personally, I aim to keep these names simple and straightforward while also being mindful of SEO, ensuring they capture what the category is about without overcomplicating it. Clear and direct names make it easier for both members and search engines to understand what each section offers, which is key for discoverability.

I prefer to capitalize each word in category/forum titles, even though some people don’t. In my opinion, it creates a more polished and professional look, giving each category name a distinct, structured appearance that stands out.

As a rule, I like to keep descriptions to just 1-2 sentences, focusing on clarity and purpose so that users instantly understand the topic and feel invited to participate. In my experience, a concise description can be surprisingly powerful; it not only defines the category but also sets the tone and intention for discussions within that space.

If anyone is struggling with category names or descriptions, feel free to share your ideas here! Sometimes an outside perspective can make a huge difference in finding the right words to fit your forum’s vision and voice. We’re here to help brainstorm if you need it!

 

[Cory]

My category names are generally generic. I don't think a board of my type needs extensive category names anyway. Usually, a word or two will describe the entirety of the category's purpose. I try not to use overly complex phrases and keep it simple.

 

[Nomad]

Well, I don't think it is difficult to name your categories. If you have multiple niches, you can use your niches for categories. For instance if your community is gaming forum you can use gaming niches or platforms for category. If your forum is webmaster niche, you can add categories related to webmaster. If you know your niche very well, I do not think it can be difficult. For me the hardest thing is to come up with a niche for forum. I need to find niche that I am passionate about also also a niche that does not have saturation.

 

[InMyOpinion]

It can be difficult to find the perfect name but I think a good name doesn't always come to you right away. It is good to keep in mind what the forum is about and what niche it is going to be so you can an appropriate name for it. I've struggled in the past with names but that's also because I'm not as creative as I'd like to be.

 

[Bawse]

I used my competitor forums as a guideline when I started my community, and I built categories based on what I believed what'd be the best for my forum. Over time, I slowly added more sections as my forum has grown, and become more active.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

It's difficult enough to come up with a name for your forum itself, the categories are another matter by itself. What is your process in generating the names for your different categories? Do you spend a large amount of time going through this or simply just giving it a generic name?

I focus on searchable terms that relate to my forum.

I also try to make sure I name something in a manner that tells the viewer exactly what it will be.

Google wants anchor text to be descriptive. That's for links. For categories and boards are links so the anchor text needs to be explanatory and lead to content that the viewer expects to see based on the terms that are in use.