What bookmarks do and how to create one
A bookmark is a saved link to a webpage that you can return to without typing the address again. In Chrome, bookmarks live in a toolbar at the top of your browser window, in a folder menu, or in a sidebar — you choose where. When you bookmark a page, Chrome stores the web address and the page title so you can click it later instead of searching or remembering the URL.
To bookmark the page you are currently viewing, press Ctrl+D on Windows or Cmd+D on Mac. A small box will pop up asking where you want to save it. You can keep the page title as is, change it to something shorter or more memorable, and pick which folder to put it in. Click "Save" and you are done.
You can also bookmark a page by clicking the star icon that appears on the right side of the address bar (the long field at the top where the web address shows). The star will fill in solid when the page is bookmarked, and clicking it again removes the bookmark.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl+D (Windows) or Cmd+D (Mac) to bookmark any webpage, then choose a folder and save.
- The bookmark toolbar shows your most-used bookmarks at the top of the browser window and can be turned on in Chrome settings.
- Create folders inside your bookmarks to organize them by topic — work, recipes, shopping, travel — so you can find them faster.
- The bookmark manager (Ctrl+Shift+B) shows all your bookmarks in one place and lets you search, rename, move, or delete them.
Turning on the bookmark toolbar
By default, Chrome does not show a toolbar with your bookmarks visible at all times. To turn it on, click the three vertical dots (menu icon) in the top right corner of Chrome, then go to "Bookmarks" and select "Show bookmarks bar." A new row will appear just below the address bar, and any bookmarks you save to the main folder will show up there as clickable links.
The toolbar is the fastest way to reach bookmarks you use often — they are always one click away. If your toolbar gets crowded, you can move less-used bookmarks into folders instead, and the folder name will show on the toolbar. Click the folder to see all the bookmarks inside it.
Creating folders to organize bookmarks
If you bookmark many pages, folders help you find what you need. To create a new folder, press Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac to open the bookmark manager. On the left side, you will see "Bookmarks" at the top. Right-click on it and select "Add folder," then type a name like "Recipes," "Work," or "Travel Ideas."
Once you have folders set up, you can move bookmarks into them. When you bookmark a new page, the pop-up box will show a dropdown menu where you can pick which folder to save it to. You can also drag and drop bookmarks into folders in the bookmark manager if you want to reorganize them later.
Finding and managing bookmarks in the bookmark manager
The bookmark manager is a single page where you can see all your bookmarks, search for them, rename them, or delete them. Open it by pressing Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac, or by clicking the three dots menu, going to "Bookmarks," and selecting "Bookmark manager."
In the bookmark manager, you can type a word or phrase in the search box at the top to find a specific bookmark quickly. Right-click any bookmark to rename it, delete it, or move it to a different folder. You can also drag bookmarks between folders to reorganize them. This is useful if you saved something to the wrong folder or want to clean up your collection.
Syncing bookmarks across devices
If you use Chrome on more than one device — a laptop, tablet, or phone — you can sync your bookmarks so they appear on all of them. To set this up, sign into your Google Account in Chrome on each device. Click the profile icon in the top right corner, make sure you are signed in, and go to "Settings" then "Sync and Google services." Turn on "Sync everything" or select "Bookmarks" if you want to sync only bookmarks.
Once sync is on, any bookmark you save on one device will show up on the others within a few minutes. This means you can bookmark a recipe on your phone while cooking, then find it on your laptop later. If you turn off sync or sign out, your bookmarks stay on that device but will not update on your other devices.
Moving bookmarks between folders and deleting them
To move a bookmark to a different folder, open the bookmark manager and find the bookmark you want to move. Drag it to the folder you want it in, or right-click it and select "Move to" to pick a folder from a list. You can also create a new folder right there if you realize you need one.
To delete a bookmark, right-click it in the bookmark manager and select "Delete," or click the three dots next to it and choose "Delete." The bookmark will be removed from Chrome, but the actual webpage will still exist on the internet — you are only removing your saved link to it. You can always bookmark it again later if you change your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bookmark a link without going to the full webpage?
Yes. Right-click any link on a webpage and select "Bookmark this link" from the menu. Chrome will save the link without loading the page, which is faster if you are just collecting links to read later.
What happens to my bookmarks if I uninstall Chrome?
If you signed into a Google Account and had sync turned on, your bookmarks are saved to your Google Account and will come back when you reinstall Chrome and sign in again. If you were not signed in, your bookmarks are deleted when you uninstall. Always sign in to Chrome to protect your bookmarks.
Can I export my bookmarks to use in a different browser?
Yes. Open the bookmark manager, click the three dots in the top right, and select "Export bookmarks." Chrome will save them as an HTML file that you can import into Firefox, Safari, Edge, or most other browsers. This is useful if you switch browsers or want a backup copy.
How do I bookmark a page that keeps changing, like a live score or weather page?
Bookmark it the same way you would any other page. Chrome saves the web address, not a snapshot, so when you click the bookmark later, it will load the current version of the page with the latest information.