Bookmark

A browser feature that saves the URL of a web page for quick future access. Also known as favorites, bookmarks help organize frequently visited sites.

Oct 8, 2026 / About 1 min read

URL Shortening

A bookmark is a saved link to a web page that you want to revisit later. Just as a physical bookmark holds your place in a book, a browser bookmark marks a web page so you can return to it quickly without remembering or retyping the URL. Some browsers call this feature 'favorites' instead of bookmarks.

Creating a bookmark is simple. Click the star icon in your browser's address bar, or press Ctrl+D (Cmd+D on Mac) to bookmark the current page. Your saved bookmarks appear in the bookmarks bar below the address bar or in the bookmarks menu, giving you one-click access to your favorite sites.

As your bookmark collection grows, organization becomes essential. Most browsers let you create folders to categorize bookmarks - for example, 'Study,' 'Hobbies,' 'News,' and 'Shopping.' You can drag and drop bookmarks between folders to keep things tidy. Some people use the bookmarks bar for their most-visited sites (keeping it to 5-10 items) and organize everything else into folders in the bookmarks menu.

Bookmarking short URLs requires caution. If the URL shortening service shuts down, every short URL it created becomes a dead link - including any you bookmarked. This actually happened in 2009 when tr.im announced it would shut down (it reopened a few days later), putting many links at risk. For important pages, always bookmark the original full URL rather than the shortened version.

Modern browsers offer bookmark syncing across devices. Chrome syncs bookmarks through your Google account, and Safari uses iCloud.

Browser bookmark managers also support importing and exporting. You can export your bookmarks as an HTML file and import them into a different browser.

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Related Terms

Browser

Software used to access and display websites. Browsers interpret HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to render web pages on screen.

Short URL

A condensed version of a long URL that redirects to the original destination. Short URLs are easier to share and track.

Permalink

A permanent URL that remains unchanged over time, providing a stable reference to a specific piece of content.

Bulk Shortening

The ability to shorten multiple URLs at once, typically through a CSV upload or API batch request.

QR Code Error Correction

A feature that allows QR codes to be read correctly even when part of the code is damaged or obscured.

Custom Alias

A custom alias is a user-defined short code that replaces the auto-generated random string in a short URL. It improves brand recognition, memorability, and click-through rates.

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FAQ

What is the difference between bookmarks and browser history?

Bookmarks are pages you intentionally save and they persist until you delete them. History is an automatic log of the pages you visit. Use bookmarks for pages you want to return to regularly, and history to find a page you visited recently but did not bookmark.

Can I transfer bookmarks to a different browser?

Yes. Most browsers have import and export functions for bookmarks. Export your bookmarks as an HTML file from your current browser, then import that file into the new browser. Major browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox also offer direct import options that can pull bookmarks from other installed browsers automatically.

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