From r/ObsidianMD 📅 • 📊 34 upvotes • ⭐ 9/10 • 🚀 high
*Analysis generated: Mar 8, 2026*
🔗 Source: View on Reddit
—

Summary

The author argues that tags are more useful as a record of past thinking than as a retrieval mechanism. They built a retrieval system that successfully connected notes without tags, demonstrating that semantic connections can be made without explicit categorization. They suggest that tags reflect current thinking, which changes over time, making them ineffective for future retrieval. They rarely use tag pages for browsing, preferring search and quick open.

Key Insights

1. Tags represent past context, not necessarily future search terms.
2. Semantic search and connections can be more effective than tag-based retrieval.
3. Over-reliance on tags can hinder discovery due to evolving thought patterns.

Enhancement Suggestions

No enhancement suggestions available

Analysis

This post challenges a core assumption of many Obsidian users – the effectiveness of tags for retrieval. The author’s experience and linked blog post offer a compelling alternative perspective, advocating for more semantic and less categorical approaches to knowledge management.
—
*Curated by AI for Paul’s Vault Members*