diff --git a/plugins/inputs/procstat/README.md b/plugins/inputs/procstat/README.md
index 9ecc3d367..380321569 100644
--- a/plugins/inputs/procstat/README.md
+++ b/plugins/inputs/procstat/README.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Procstat Input Plugin
 
 The procstat plugin can be used to monitor the system resource usage of one or more processes.
-The procstat_lookup metric displays the query information, 
+The procstat_lookup metric displays the query information,
 specifically the number of PIDs returned on a search
 
 Processes can be selected for monitoring using one of several methods:
@@ -44,9 +44,12 @@ Processes can be selected for monitoring using one of several methods:
   ## When true add the full cmdline as a tag.
   # cmdline_tag = false
 
-  ## Add PID as a tag instead of a field; useful to differentiate between
-  ## processes whose tags are otherwise the same.  Can create a large number
-  ## of series, use judiciously.
+  ## Add the PID as a tag instead of as a field.  When collecting multiple
+  ## processes with otherwise matching tags this setting should be enabled to
+  ## ensure each process has a unique identity.
+  ##
+  ## Enabling this option may result in a large number of series, especially
+  ## when processes have a short lifetime.
   # pid_tag = false
 
   ## Method to use when finding process IDs.  Can be one of 'pgrep', or
diff --git a/plugins/inputs/procstat/procstat.go b/plugins/inputs/procstat/procstat.go
index 8e56e4bf7..61e575370 100644
--- a/plugins/inputs/procstat/procstat.go
+++ b/plugins/inputs/procstat/procstat.go
@@ -69,9 +69,12 @@ var sampleConfig = `
   ## When true add the full cmdline as a tag.
   # cmdline_tag = false
 
-  ## Add PID as a tag instead of a field; useful to differentiate between
-  ## processes whose tags are otherwise the same.  Can create a large number
-  ## of series, use judiciously.
+  ## Add the PID as a tag instead of as a field.  When collecting multiple
+  ## processes with otherwise matching tags this setting should be enabled to
+  ## ensure each process has a unique identity.
+  ##
+  ## Enabling this option may result in a large number of series, especially
+  ## when processes have a short lifetime.
   # pid_tag = false
 
   ## Method to use when finding process IDs.  Can be one of 'pgrep', or