As an experienced Mac user, you likely know the basics of bookmarking websites. Drag that tiny icon up to your browser‘s Farm Belt, and voila – easy access to your go-to sites.
But macOS takes this fundamental concept much further with its robust favorites feature. Let‘s delve deeper into these supercharged bookmarks – how Apple‘s Safari browser implements them, power user tips, and why they deserve prime real estate in your workflow.
By the end, we‘ll elevate your favorite-ing skills from novice to seasoned pro!
What Makes Favorites So Great?
First, let‘s step back and examine why website favorites even matter in this age of omnipresent search bars awaiting our every query.
A few reasons Safari‘s flavor of turbocharged bookmarks shine:
- Zero typing – Open a saved site instantly with one click instead of remembering or copying/pasting complex URLs
- Visual recognition – Identify favorites via icon, even with a messy open tab situation
- One home for all devices – Favorites automatically sync between all your Apple products (make a bookmark on Mac and poof! it appears on your iPhone)
- Organize favorite galaxies – Group bookmarks into custom clusters around topics, projects, clients – whatever makes sense to you
Sure, we have muscle memory for typing common destinations like instagram.com. But favorites minimize unnecessary steps to get you where you need to go faster.
And with syncing, you leverage favorites everywhere Apple gear can browse the web. Setup once, optimized browsing forever!
Now let‘s tackle…
How to Favorite Any Website
| Action | Function |
|---|---|
| Open Safari browser | Launchpad > Safari or dock icon |
| Navigate to site | Use address bar, search, link, etc |
| Click Share button (box with ↑ arrow) | Top right of Safari window |
| Select "Add Bookmark" | From dropdown menu |
| Choose Favorites as location | Default location to enable one-click access |
| Customize name | Rename for easy identification |
| Click Add | Save bookmark to Favorites |
I‘ll walk you through favoriting a site step-by-step:
Open Your Safari Zoo
However you prefer launching apps, fire up Safari – it lives in your dock by default.
Of course the pros never closed Safari to begin with 😉 Multiple windows with various projects sit primed for our return.
Navigate to the Exhibit You‘ll Visit Again and Again
Safari loaded? Great! Now guide your browser to the precise web page deserving of favorites stardom.
The address bar is easiest for known URLs. Or click open tabs if you‘re resuming existing research. No judgements on use of Safari Reader mode here either!
Pro Tip: To change default search engine from Google, head to Safari > Preferences > Search
Initiate the Favoriting Ceremony
Once desired page loaded, click the rectangular Share button hiding coyly atop the browser window (towards the right).
Here lies the portal for adding expedited access to web places requiring frequent visits!
Declare "Add Bookmark" as Your Intention
With the share menu popped open, declare your noble inten to bookmark by selecting "Add Bookmark". Right below email and message options.
This signals Safari to ready the Favorite Rolodex for a new member!
Welcome Them into the Exclusive Favorites Club
A new window appears asking where precisely to file this emerging favorite for safe keeping.
The "Favorites" folder should already be chosen by default. If not, select it from the dropdown menu provided.
Favorites enjoy prime real estate in Safari – one click access from any new tab or browser window!
Give Your New Favorite a Recognizable Moniker
While naming bookmarks, consider: Will I remember what Site23 refers to in 6 months?
Instead, customize the default name suggested to something clear like AWS Billing Dashboard or Course Schedule Planner.
Descriptiveness here aids re-finding favorites later when you have 80+ saved!
Click "Add" to Finalize the Ceremony
Our final step as Favorite Fairy Godmother is to officially welcome the bookmark into the fold.
Click the "Add" button below to wrap up…then poof! Your custom named site shortcut appears in Safari‘s Favorites bar.
Repeat this process to amass a collection of your most beloved sites!
Revisiting Favorite Destinations
Now for the payoff – accessing those meticulously favorited sites rapid fire!
Any Safari window or tab displays your complete favorites lineup at the very top. One click sends you soaring to bookmarked pages without Typing Times.
Customize the display via View > Show Favorites Bar – choosing icon, text or both.
The Bookmarks Sidebar (View > Show Bookmarks Sidebar) houses favorites too under its own heading for single click access.
Favorite Fluidity Between Apple Devices
Favorites transcend any single machine when you enable Safari syncing across Apple products:
- iPhone
- iPad
- Additional Macs
Toggle syncing on/off in System Preferences:
ID Apple Icon > iCloud > Safari > Sync Safari
Now bookmarks saved on your Mac appear on mobile devices too!
No more emailing links between gadgets or losing favorites when upgrading. The ecosystem works in harmony.
Curating Your Favorite Collection
Like any intense hobby, site favoriting demands organization for sustainability.
My tips for effectively managing bookmarks long-term:
- Prune periodically – Delete stale or redundant favorites
- Categorize in folders – Group by topic, project, client, etc
- Name descriptively – Helps distinguish between similar-looking icons
- Search bookmarks – Quickly filters by keywords when stumped
Right click favorites for renaming or deleting. The Edit Bookmarks menu offers advanced management like folders.
Treat favorites like a garden – some pruning keeps it healthy and thriving!
Maximize Your Browsing Efficiency
Hopefully you now grasp just how useful macOS favorites can be when fully utilized!
In summary:
- Save clicks by eliminating URL typing
- Enable visual tab management
- Centralize access across Apple devices
- Organize your favorite web places
I encourage you to favorite fearlessly – try it for your most frequented sites over the coming weeks. See just how much faster navigation feels thanks to thoughtful bookmarking!
No browsing efficiency stone goes unturned here. Soon you‘ll ponder how you ever scrolled endlessly through history to find sites already visited 1000 times before 😅
What favorite-related tips or tricks have you uncovered? Share your insight below!
