substack.com/@planettash/note/c-185927059

“Tags and links are like peanut butter and jelly—each great on its own, but when combined, they create something even better.”

I remember when I first started using Obsidian, I thought tags and links were basically the same thing. Just different ways to connect notes, right? Well…not quite.

Understanding when to use tags versus links can make your note-taking system way smoother and more powerful.

Let’s dive into how these two features differ, when to choose each, and how you can make them work together in your vault.

What’s the Difference Between Tags and Links?

Tags

• Tags are keywords or labels you add anywhere in your note using a # symbol.
• They categorize notes by theme, status, or any attribute you want.
• Example: #idea, #project/obsidian-series, #urgent

Links

• Links are direct connections between two notes created with double brackets [[Note Title]].
• They create a clickable relationship that lets you jump from one note to another instantly.
• Example: [[Project Launch]], [[Daily Notes/2025-05-20]]

When to Use Tags

Use tags when you want to:

• Add broad categories or themes that apply across many notes.
• Mark attributes or statuses, like #todo, #in-progress, #reference.
• Group notes that don’t have a hierarchical relationship but share a common trait.
• Quickly filter and search by category without creating new notes.

Example:

You’re writing journal entries. You tag each with #journal and #mood/happy. Later, you can filter all “happy” mood entries without linking every single one.

When to Use Links

Use links when you want to:

• Create specific, explicit connections between notes.
• Reference related ideas, projects, or resources directly.
• Build a network or graph of ideas that you can navigate.
• Connect detailed research or project notes that depend on each other.

Example:

You’re writing about a project and link to your meeting notes, task lists, and key concepts inside the project note. This helps you jump around quickly and keeps related info connected.

Why You Need Both for a Balanced System

Here’s the truth: tags and links aren’t rivals. They’re best friends.

Think of tags as broad buckets and links as roadways between notes.

• Tags organize notes by category, so you know what type of note you’re looking at.
• Links build meaningful relationships, showing how ideas and notes relate specifically.

Using both lets you:

• Quickly filter by tags, then explore deeply via links.
• Use tags for statuses (#todo, #done), and links for context and detail.
• Build a vault that’s both searchable and navigable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using tags like links — e.g., creating a tag for every note title. This leads to tag clutter.
• Over-linking — linking every word to another note just because you can. It makes navigation noisy.
• Ignoring one entirely — some users rely solely on folders or tags and miss the power of linked notes.
• Inconsistent tag naming — mix of #todo, #to-do, #task makes filtering painful.

How I Use Tags and Links Together

Here’s my system:

• I tag notes with broad categories: #journal, #project/obsidian-series, #idea, #task
• Inside notes, I link to related topics, meeting notes, or research: [[Meeting Notes]], [[Project Launch]]
• I use nested tags like #status/in-progress or #status/done for task management
• I review backlinks weekly to discover related notes I might have missed

This combo keeps my vault flexible but connected.

Conclusion

So, tags or links? The answer is simple: use both. They serve different but complementary purposes.

• Use tags for quick categorization, filtering, and broad organization.
• Use links to create specific, meaningful relationships between your notes.

Together, they unlock Obsidian’s full power, turning your vault into a dynamic, interconnected knowledge base.

“Tags aren’t just labels—they’re a way to find meaning across your notes.”

When I first started with Obsidian, I thought folders alone would do the job. Spoiler alert: folders are great for structure, but they can be too rigid.

Enter tags — those little #hashtags you sprinkle throughout your notes that make searching and organizing way more flexible.

Let me show you how to tag like a pro in Obsidian and why tags can be the secret weapon in your digital brain.

What Are Tags in Obsidian?

Tags are keywords prefixed by a hash # that you add anywhere in your notes:

#project #idea #urgent

They’re easy to spot and Obsidian treats them as metadata you can filter, search, and visualize.

Unlike folders, tags let you categorize notes across multiple topics without duplication.

Why Use Tags Instead of (or Alongside) Folders?

Folders give you a fixed hierarchy — a single place for a note. But ideas aren’t linear, right?

Tags let you:

• Connect notes across projects, themes, or contexts
• Create overlapping categories (e.g., #project and #research)
• Easily filter notes by tags using Obsidian’s search and tag pane
• Quickly add context to notes without moving files around

I personally combine both. Folders for broad categories, tags for dynamic sorting.

How to Add Tags in Obsidian

Simply type # and start writing your tag name. Obsidian will auto-suggest existing tags as you type, helping you stay consistent.

Example:

#journal #daily #meeting-notes

You can add multiple tags per note or even inline in the middle of sentences.

Tagging Best Practices

1. Be Consistent With Tag Names

Don’t create #proj in one note and #project in another. Pick one naming style.

2. Use Hierarchical Tags Sparingly

Obsidian supports nested tags like:

#project/launch #status/in-progress

These can help organize large vaults but avoid overcomplicating.

3. Keep Tags Simple and Descriptive

Tags like #idea, #todo, #quote work well. Avoid too generic ones like #note.

4. Create Tag Index Notes

Some people create an index note that explains or groups tags:

# Project Tags

- #project/launch

- #project/research

# Status Tags

- #status/done

- #status/pending

This is great for teams or vaults with lots of tags.

Using Tags for Note Discovery

Obsidian’s tag pane gives you an overview of all tags in your vault and how many notes use each.

You can click a tag to instantly filter all notes containing it.

You can also combine tag searches with text search:

tag:#project AND meeting

This powerful combo lets you drill down quickly.

How Tags Complement Links

Links create explicit connections between notes. Tags add flexible, broad context.

For example, you might link:

• [[Project: Launch New Website]] inside your meeting notes

But tag those notes with:

• #project and #meeting-notes

This way you can group all project-related content, whether directly linked or not.

Real-Life Use Case: My Tagging System

Here’s a sneak peek into my tags:

• #daily — all daily notes
• #journal — personal reflections
• #project/obsidian-series — everything related to this article series
• #idea — random ideas
• #task and #task/done — task statuses

When I want to review all open tasks, I search for tag:#task -tag:#task/done.

It’s like having a smart filter on autopilot.

Conclusion

Tags are your flexible sidekick in Obsidian. They help you organize, search, and discover notes without wrestling with folders.

Start small—add a few tags to your notes today. Over time, you’ll see how these little hashtags build a powerful web of context that makes your vault feel alive and organized.

🗣️ What’s your tagging style? Do you use nested tags or keep it simple? Share your tips and tag hacks in the comments!