Finding the sweet spot for tagging 'Rafayel x Reader' fics really depends on where the character's from, which the original question doesn't specify. I'm assuming from context it's probably 'Love and Deepspace', given how the pairing's blown up lately. General best practice is to lead with the ship tag itself: 'Rafayel (Love and Deepspace)/Reader' is your anchor. That's non-negotiable for me. From there, I'd layer in the genre and tone tags that get the most traction—'Fluff', 'Angst', 'Established Relationship' if it fits, maybe 'Hurt/Comfort'. Those are the big ones people filter by when they're in a specific mood.
But the real discovery boost often comes from the niche, vibe-specific tags. I've noticed fics tagged with 'Rafayel being Rafayel' or 'Artist Rafayel' tend to do well because they promise that specific characterization fans are looking for. 'Soft Rafayel' is another huge one. If your story has a particular scenario, tag that too—'Cuddling & Snuggling', 'Sharing a Bed', 'First Kiss'. It's those smaller, concrete tags that hook someone scrolling. Don't just stop at the major categories; think about the exact feeling or scene someone might be craving at 2 AM, and tag for that. It makes all the difference between a story that's merely found and one that feels like it was written just for the reader's current search.