Semantic tags in HTML are elements that convey the purpose of the content within them, making the structure of the webpage more understandable for both humans and machines. Tags like <header>, <nav>, <section>, and <footer> provide meaningful context, unlike generic <div> tags. For example, using <nav> instead of <div> for a navigation bar clearly defines its role:
<nav>
<ul>
<li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>
<li><a href="#about">About</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
These tags enhance accessibility, improve SEO, and make the code easier to maintain.