All browsers come with a bookmark manager, but if you’re not happy with it, you can venture out and use a third-party tool instead. Bookmark OS is one such tool that is definitely worth a look if you’re not completely satisfied with the way bookmarks work in your default browser.
Bookmark OS also works in your browser as well, yet has the functionality of a desktop file manager with the ability to organize, sort, and browse your bookmarks with ease. If you’re a visual person, the ability to visualize your bookmarks is sure to be even more appealing. The website is also responsive, so it looks and works just as great on a mobile device as it does on your desktop or laptop screen.
Bookmark OS Features
Since Bookmark OS is meant to mimic your desktop, it works similarly and comes with a lot of great features. Here’s a look at some of the best features.
Adding, Editing, and Deleting Bookmarks
Bookmarks can be added right from the website by clicking on the “+” button and selecting “New Bookmark” or by right-clicking on the background of the desktop and selecting “New Bookmark.”
Alternately, you can also use the Chrome extension or bookmarklet (if you’re using another browser). I haven’t tried the bookmarklet, but from the Chrome Extension you would first select the folder where you want the bookmark saved, add tags and/or a note, and click on “Save bookmark.” This is all you can do with the Chrome extension (add new bookmarks); you can view your bookmarks or get to the website from the browser icon.
Editing a bookmark is just as easy. From the website, right-click on the bookmark (or folder) and select “Edit.” Likewise, if you want to delete a bookmark, you would right-click on it and select “Delete.”
You can easily open a bookmark from the website by either double-clicking on it or right-clicking and choosing “Open” or “Open in a new tab.” Lastly, if you want to move a bookmark or folder, you can use drag-and-drop just as you would on your desktop.
Another option is to right-click the bookmark and select “Move.” You can also select multiple bookmarks by clicking on the desktop background, dragging your mouse down to select them, and then doing a drag-and-drop (or right-click and “Move”).
Sorting Bookmarks
The sorting feature is especially useful since you can sort by name, date created, date last opened, domain, or custom. The custom sorting option allows you to customize the order of items manually by dragging them into the order you want. To you use it, you would choose it from the sort menu and then click on “Move item” (see image below).
Once selected, you can drag items into the positions that you want them to be in. When done, click “Move item” again.
Searching Bookmarks
There is a search bar at the top right of the page below your username. This allows you to search through your bookmark names, notes, and domains pretty easily. It uses prefix matching, so searching for something like “Go” would bring up things like “Google” and “Gossip,” which is sure to be handy for situations where you can’t remember the entire name of a site or page.
You can also sort your search results according to your needs as well as move items into different folders. It’s convenient and I love that results show up almost instantly as you’re typing in the search bar.
Other Features of Bookmark OS
There’s also a “View all” mode that will show you all of your bookmarks at one glance (great if you have them sorted into many different folders), resizable folder tree (which can also be hidden completely), and tags that act as filters and can be accessed by clicking the icon next to the folder tree icon.
Lastly, while “Icon view” is the default for your bookmarks and shows small screenshots, you can also use “List view” by clicking on the icon right next to it.
You’ll still have icons, but they’re tiny and hard to make out. This is great for those who want to see info (name, domain, date created) instead of images.
Importing Your Bookmarks
If you want to import bookmarks from another browser or source, there is an option to do so upon signing up with Bookmark OS. You should see “Click here to import bookmarks” on the empty desktop background. You can also access this from settings by clicking your username in the top right corner and selecting “Settings.”
Of course, first, you’ll need to export them. Luckily, Bookmark OS has instructions on how to do this for each browser (where it says “click here for instructions …”).
The process is quick and painless. If Bookmark OS is under heavy load, though, it may take some extra time to import all your bookmarks. You’ll receive an email when the import is finished. It also takes some time to process screenshot icons for each of your bookmarks.
Note: you can also back up and export your bookmarks from Bookmark OS at any time from Settings.
Wrapping It Up
Bookmark OS is a very easy-to-use bookmark manager that could very well take the place of your browser’s bookmark manager. Personally, I prefer it over Chrome’s bookmark manager; everything is just quicker, easier, prettier and more efficient. Some people may not be fond of the file manager design, but if you practically live in the file manager on your computer (like I do), it only makes sense to have your bookmarks set up in the same manner.
