Keywords · Vocabularies · Workbench
Keyword your whole library, consistently.
A library you cannot search is a library you cannot use. MetaScope pairs controlled vocabularies, keyword rules and on-device AI suggestions in one workbench, so you can tag thousands of photos with terms that stay consistent and travel with the file.
The problem
Free-typed keywords drift: singular here, plural there, a typo everywhere. Inconsistent tags break search and make a large library harder to use over time, not easier. Consistency has to be built in, not policed by hand.
01 · A shared vocabulary
Tag from an approved list, not from memory.
Build or import a controlled vocabulary with hierarchy and synonyms, so every keyword is spelled and worded the same way across the whole library. Synonym-aware search then finds a concept even when the exact word differs.
- Hierarchy
- Synonyms
- Translations
- Import and export
02 · Do it in bulk
Keyword a whole selection, or let rules do it.
Add or remove keywords across many photos at once in the Keyword Workbench. Keyword rules apply tags automatically when your conditions match, so the repetitive tagging runs itself and stays consistent.
Inside the workbench →
03 · Let AI start you off
On-device suggestions for what is in frame.
Analyzed photos surface badged keyword suggestions across 1,000+ subjects, fully on your Mac. Accept the ones you want and they join your vocabulary, so AI speeds up the first pass without taking control of your tags.
See MetaScope Intelligence →
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| IPTC:Keywords | (empty) | beach, sunset, golden retriever |
| Source | None | Vocabulary + AI suggestion |
| Searchable by concept | No | Yes |
Good to know
How it tags.
macOS 15.4 Sequoia or later. Apple Silicon or Intel.
Writes IPTC and XMP keyword fields, so tags travel with the file.
On-device suggestions are Pro. Nothing is written until you accept it.
FAQ
Keyword questions
Are the keywords standards-correct?
Yes. MetaScope writes keywords to the IPTC and XMP fields that photo software and asset managers read, so your tags travel with the file.
How do controlled vocabularies help?
A controlled vocabulary is your approved list of terms, with hierarchy and synonyms. It keeps spelling and wording consistent across a whole library and lets you search by concept, not just exact text.
Can I keyword many photos at once?
Yes. Add or remove keywords across a whole selection in the Keyword Workbench, and let keyword rules apply tags automatically based on conditions you set.
Where do the AI suggestions come from?
From on-device image analysis. MetaScope suggests keywords for what is in the frame, fully on your Mac, and nothing is written until you accept it. See the Intelligence page for detail.
Go deeper
Make your whole library findable.
