Labels
Labels can be used to group content and documents for searching within the CMS or to automate the process of creating a Curated List.
Content and documents can be labeled to make it easier to find related items in the All Content and All Documents tabs. The Label(s) field found in all content types and documents lets authors tag their content to make it easier to group and find within the CMS.
For example, authors may want to use a custom label to tag all content and documents about a specific topic, in a specific series, or linked within a specific page, so they can all be easily found and edited.
These same labels can be used to create Curated Lists.
Watch video about using labels to manage content and documents.
If you need a list of all of your organization's labels, start at the "All Content" tab. Filter by your organization and make a selection in the "Publication status" field. Select "Apply" and then select the "CSV" button to generate a spreadsheet. Narrow down the content in the spreadsheet to include the "Labels" column and whatever else you like. Sort the labels column to give you a view of all your labels and related content.
Labeling content & documents
You’ll find the Label(s) field at the bottom of the “Overview” tab in any content type or document.
To add a label, start typing in the field and choose an existing label from the autofill list, or create a new one by entering it directly in the field and saving the page.
Be sure to create labels specific to your purpose. Like page titles, labels should be unique to prevent overlap with others because the Label(s) field is shared across Mass.gov. For example:
"DOR directives," instead of "Directives"
"MassHealth enrollment forms," instead of "Enrollment forms."
Content and documents can be given multiple labels to make them searchable by more than 1 term or part of more than 1 Curated List. Click the “Add another item” button beneath the label field to add another label.
Labels are not viewable in any way in the front end of Mass.gov. When creating labels, you can be as specific and detailed as needed, without potentially confusing Mass.gov users.
Search by Label
Authors can search for groups of content with common labels via the All Content tab and for groups of documents with common labels via the “All Documents” tab. Content or documents can be searched via the Label(s) field, which is an autofill field.
Begin typing in the field and labels matching what you type will appear in a dropdown menu
Click on the correct label
Select Apply button (or, if searching labels for documents, select Filter)
Content and documents may share labels but cannot be searched for at the same time.
However, you could download separate spreadsheets of content and documents that share a label by clicking on the orange CSV button at the bottom of your respective results lists. The data in those spreadsheets could be combined in a single spreadsheet for further analysis.
Hint: You can filter by page label in Feedback Manager to review verbatim feedback left on content that shares a label.
Use labels to create Curated Lists
Rather than add items one by one to a Curated List, you can save time by using labels to automate the process. When you enter your label of choice into the Label(s) section in a Curated List’s automatic list, every item you’ve assigned that label to will appear. This also applies to any future items you assign that label to.
You can add labels to any content type that can be added to a Curated List content types are supported).
You’ll add your unique labels to the Label(s) field at the bottom of the Overview tab.
Label as you create and publish
You can save time by labeling pieces of content you know will be on a list as you create them. It helps to map out your lists ahead of time.
Labels can be deleted from a piece of content's Label(s) field if you no longer want the content to appear on a list.
Important: Create a unique labeling system
Your organization’s content might be similar to another organization’s content. Creating distinct, descriptive labels ensures you’re only including the content you intend to have in a specific listing page. For example, maybe your labels include your organization acronym and a note about which list(s) you want them to appear on.
Bad example: Emergency Preparedness
Good example: DPH — Emergency Preparedness — Documents and Forms
Training video on using Labels to manage content & documents
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