How to Use Steam Tags to Discover Your Next Favorite Game

25 December 2025

If you've ever wandered aimlessly through the Steam store, scrolling for hours and still not finding something worth your time, you're not alone. We've all been there, stuck in the eternal struggle of “What do I play next?” Thankfully, there’s a super handy tool hidden in plain sight that can help you dodge the endless scroll and lead you straight to your next gaming obsession — Steam tags.

In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into how to use Steam tags effectively to uncover games that perfectly match your tastes. Whether you're into fast-paced shooters, cozy farming sims, or story-rich RPGs, Steam tags are the secret sauce for finding what you love without all the guesswork.

What Are Steam Tags, Anyway?

Let’s start with the basics. Steam tags are descriptive labels that users and developers add to games on the Steam platform. Think of them like hashtags but for games.

These tags help categorize games based on features like:

- Genre (e.g., Adventure, Strategy)
- Tone (e.g., Funny, Dark, Emotional)
- Gameplay (e.g., Roguelike, Turn-Based Combat)
- Perspective (e.g., First-Person, Isometric)
- Style (e.g., Pixel Graphics, Anime, Stylized)

The beauty of tags is that they’re super specific and crowdsourced, so they tend to capture the true essence of a game beyond what a generic genre label might tell you.

Why Steam Tags Are a Game-Changer

Imagine walking into a massive video game library — like, thousands of titles — and trying to find one needle in that digital haystack. Without tags, you'd be relying on basic categories and maybe a recommendation or two from the homepage. That’s like asking a bookstore employee to recommend a book and they just say, “Try fiction.”

Steam tags cut through the noise. They act like a GPS, guiding you to titles based on your exact preferences. Want a multiplayer, action-packed, open world sandbox with PvP? There’s a tag combo for that. In the mood for a chill, single-player, turn-based 2D platformer with a focus on storytelling? Tags got your back.

Where to Find Tags on Steam

Tags are pretty much everywhere on Steam — you just need to know where to look.

On a Game’s Store Page

When you're looking at any game's page, scroll down just a bit and you'll see a list of popular tags right under the screenshots or description.

These are the ones most commonly associated with the game. Click on any of them, and boom — you're taken to a list of other games that share that tag. It’s like opening a door to a mini-genre curated just for that vibe.

In the Steam Discovery Queue

Steam’s Discovery Queue hands you a lineup of games to check out, and each game in the queue comes with tags. Pay attention to them as you go through — if a certain tag keeps popping up and you’re vibing with those games, that might be a tag worth exploring further.

In the Search Bar

Want to start with a specific vibe or gameplay feature in mind? Just type a tag in the Steam search bar. Even better, use advanced filters and search options to stack multiple tags together (more on that in a second).

How to Combine Tags for Ultra-Specific Results

Here’s where the magic really happens. Using one tag is great, but using multiple tags? That’s how you unlock laser-precise recommendations.

Let’s break it down:

Go to the Steam Search Page

Head to the search bar and enter a tag like “Open World.” Once the results load, hit the “Narrow by tag” section in the filters on the right side.

Stack Tags Like a Pro

From there, start clicking on other tags that match your interest — maybe “Survival,” “Co-op,” and “Crafting.” Each new tag filters your list even further, helping you trim the fat and find games that live in that sweet spot of your taste.

It’s kind of like building your own flavor profile. Instead of settling for whatever the algorithm throws at you, you’re telling Steam exactly what you're craving.

Popular Tags Worth Exploring (And What They Mean)

Some tags are straightforward, while others might sound a little vague if you’re not familiar. Let’s decode a few popular ones:

1. Roguelike / Roguelite

These are games with randomly generated levels, permadeath (or semi-permadeath), and often a loop of improvement through multiple runs. Think: Hades, Dead Cells, or The Binding of Isaac.

2. Souls-like

Brutally hard combat, methodical pacing, and a dark, mysterious world. Great for masochists — I mean, fans of a challenge.

3. Cozy

Yes, it's a real tag. These games are calming, wholesome, and comforting. Expect games like Stardew Valley, Spiritfarer, or A Short Hike.

4. Psychological Horror

Think less jump scares, more brain-twisting, creepy storytelling. Perfect for those who like their horror a little more cerebral.

5. Metroidvania

A subgenre of action-platformers where the map gradually opens as you gain new abilities. Hollow Knight and Ori and the Blind Forest are your go-to examples.

6. Story Rich

If plot is what you crave, this tag’s your best friend. Expect narrative depth, cinematic flair, and memorable characters.

Pro Tips for Using Tags Like a Veteran

Want to go full Sherlock Holmes with your game hunting? Here are a few advanced tips:

Tip #1: Use External Tools

Websites like SteamDB and SteamPeek let you search by multiple tags, filter out genres you don’t like, and even set price limits. They dive deeper than Steam’s native interface.

Tip #2: Browse by “Similar To” Games

If you already love a game, scroll to the bottom of its page and look for the “More Like This” section. This list is often built using shared tags and user behavior.

Tip #3: Reverse Engineer Your Favorites

Pick 5 of your favorite games, look at their tags, and write them down. Now cross-reference — which tags overlap? Those are your golden tags, your cheat codes for finding your next gem.

Tip #4: Follow Curators That Match Your Taste

Steam Curators often tag games with personalized opinions and niche appeal. Find curators that align with your vibe and keep an eye on what they recommend.

Don’t Forget the Negative Tags

Steam also lets you exclude tags in searches. Hate horror? Filter it out. Not into early access titles? Banished. This is perfect when you want recommendations without stumbling into something that’ll ruin your mood.

Tags Help You Avoid Buyer’s Remorse

Let’s be real — no one likes spending money on a game, only to play 20 minutes and realize it’s totally not your thing. Tags reduce that risk. They give a clearer picture, especially when paired with user reviews and gameplay videos.

If a game is tagged as “Difficult,” “Bullet Hell,” and “Permadeath,” you know right away whether it's your jam or a hard pass.

The Future of Tags — More AI, More Personalization

Steam’s tagging system is only getting smarter. With AI-driven recommendations and machine learning analyzing your play habits, tags could soon evolve to become even more personalized.

Imagine a Steam where it not only knows what tags you like, but why you like them — and then suggests a hidden gem from 2012 you’ve never heard of but end up loving more than your current backlog.

Bottom Line: Tags Make Game Discovery Awesome

Steam has millions of users and thousands of games. Without a solid way to filter, you'd be drowning in options. Steam tags are your lifeline, your compass, your matchmaking service — designed to connect you with games you’ll actually want to play.

So next time you're stuck on what to install or craving something new, don’t just scroll aimlessly. Dive into the tags, mix and match, and let Steam do the heavy lifting.

Because the game you’re looking for? It's already out there — you just haven’t tagged it yet.