What is the best way to tag notes?
Tagging Principles
Tags work best when they are predictable and limited. Aim for a controlled vocabulary: decide on tag names and stick to them (e.g., 'project' not 'projects' or 'proj'). Use lowercase and hyphens for multi-word tags. Avoid tags that duplicate folder names unless you need cross-cutting. The goal is to make retrieval easy, so tag based on attributes like topic, status, or type.
A common mistake is tagging everything with many tags, which dilutes their usefulness. Instead, tag only what you'll actually filter by. For example, tag a note with 'meeting' if you often search for meeting notes, but don't tag every note with 'note'. Some people use a prefix like 'status/' to group related tags.
- Use a controlled vocabulary: decide and stick to tag names.
- Keep tags lowercase and use hyphens for spaces.
- Tag by topic, status, or type—not by everything.
- Limit the total number of tags to avoid clutter.
Implementing Tags
In apps like Evernote, OneNote, or Bear, tags can be nested or hierarchical. That helps group related tags (e.g., 'project/alpha', 'project/beta'). If your app supports it, use nested tags for better organization. Otherwise, use prefixes like 'p-alpha' to simulate hierarchy.
Review your tags periodically. Merge duplicates and delete unused ones. If you find yourself rarely using tags, you might rely more on search or folders. That's fine—use what works for you. The best tagging system is one you'll maintain.
- Use nested tags if your app supports them.
- Prefix tags to group them (e.g., 'type/meeting').
- Review and prune tags every few months.
- Don't force tags if search works better for you.
Common mistakes
- Using too many tags, which makes them less useful for filtering.
- Inconsistent tag names (e.g., 'work' and 'Work') that split results.
- Tagging for every possible future use instead of actual retrieval needs.
