Audio Description & Keyword Guide

Describing and keywording audio content is easier said than done. Unlike describing and keywording a photograph or illustration, it requires knowledge in music or even audio engineering to describe and keyword properly so that customers can find the music or audio clip that they are searching for.

Describing Audio content:
Describing your audio content plays an important role as it is one of the first things that potential clients will see when selecting the best file for their project. Short and simple descriptions are best for your audio tracks. Use catchy captions or phrases that will attract clients to buy your content amongst the vast selections available online.

Keywording Audio content:
Audio content is used in media or various projects. Therefore, including keywords that are precise and accurate is highly recommended. Below are a few pointers as a guide to keyword your audio files or tracks:

1. Include the Genre & Sub-genre
   Categorize your audio content well. Adding specific selection of the genre and sub-genre will enable your content to be easier identified and found on the search results. You should include keywords like classical piano, blues jazz, dance/trance electronica; and for sound effects such as cartoon sounds, industrial sounds and so on.
   
   
2. Include Emotion Keywords
   It is important that one add keywords that emphasize on how the audio makes you feel. In short, we may call it the emotion keywords. Emotion keywords should be described in a simple and straightforward manner.
   
   Examples of emotion keywords are:
   happy, joy, excitement, sad, melancholy, depressed, stress, anxiety, scared, worry and etc..
   
   
3. Include Element Keywords
   People who are interested to download audio files know what they are looking for. Hence, they will be searching for specific melodies as well as sound effects. Therefore, it is important that you add in keywords of instruments used to create your audio content. Be precise. Ensure that you tag the main instruments or elements used in your audio track.
   
   Examples of element keywords are:
   guitar, flute, harp, bass, symbals, keyboard, drums, cello, piano, percussion, turntable, horns and etc..
   
   
4. Include the File Type
   Be sure to highlight the type of audio content that you have created and uploaded. It may differ whether it is a music track or sound effect. This is important as interested buyers will be able to find your audio file while selecting the required file type through the advance search.
   
   
5. Include the Mood
   You may add keywords that represents a certain audio defining its mood. Audio tracks would affect people differently as the famous saying go - To each its own! A hard rock track may sound as sweet as sugar to one who enjoys that particular music genre.
   
   Examples of mood keywords are:
   positive/uplifting, negative/down/dark, laid back, calming, dramatic, inspirational, groovy and etc...
   
   
6. Include the Speed
   Speed of each audio file or track also varies from fast/medium/slow paced. It can be also added into your list of keywords for your tracks. The breakdown for audio speed can be seen as below:
   
   

   Speed	BPM
   slow	(40-60 BPM)
   at a walking pace	(61-80 BPM)
   moderate	(81-104 BPM)
   fast	(105-132 BPM)
   very fast	(133-167 BPM)
   extremely fast	(168-208 BPM)
   mixed

   
       
   
7. Indicate Loop/Seamless
   Loop/seamless is where a piece of audio track is able to be played repetitively and continuously.

You may want to elaborate and provide a clearer view of your audio content by including synonyms of the emotive keywords but be sure not to go overboard. Be specific in highlighting your audio content. Keyword appropriately and as accurately as possible to enhance searchability on the site.