Obsidian Note Organization: Folders vs MOCs vs Tags
Key Takeaways
- Folders can create decision paralysis — deciding where each note belongs becomes harder as your vault grows.
- Deeply nested folders turn note-finding into a treasure hunt — after months, you forget where notes are.
- Folders break single-source-of-truth — a note cannot physically exist in two folders, forcing copies.
- MOCs (Maps of Content) reduce friction — they act as index notes that link to all related notes, eliminating folder decisions.
- Tags are signals, not structure — use them for discovery and filtering, not for primary organization.
- You can combine approaches — folders for high‑level separation, MOCs for navigation, tags for discoverability.
Introduction
If you’re starting with Obsidian, you’ve probably asked: “Where should I put this note? Should it go into this folder or that folder? Should I use folders, no folders, PARA, Johnny Decimal, or tags?”
This video answers that question in a practical way — not theory, not opinion, but a real system that actually works over time. I walk through three popular note‑organization methods used in Obsidian: folder‑based, folderless (MOC‑based), and tag‑based. Instead of telling you which one is “best,” I show you how each method behaves as your notes grow. You’ll see why folders often create decision paralysis, why deeply nested folders turn note‑finding into a treasure hunt, and why folders make it hard to maintain a single source of truth.
Let’s dive in.
Folder-Based Organization
Folders are the most familiar method because we’re used to them from file explorers. They provide a clear, visual separation of content. However, as your vault grows, folders can introduce significant mental friction.
Problems with Folders
-
Decision paralysis — Where should a note about “how to read files in Python” go? Under a “Python basics” folder or under a “Python project” folder? If you need the same note in multiple contexts, folders force you to choose one location, breaking the single‑source‑of‑truth principle.
-
Deep nesting creates treasure hunts — After months, you might have a 30‑level deep hobby folder with nested subfolders. Finding a note becomes impossible. You end up asking, “What exists? Where does it exist? Why does it exist?”
-
Copy‑pasting leads to duplicates — To avoid moving notes, you might copy the same note into multiple folders. This creates multiple versions, making it hard to keep information consistent.
Best Practices for Folders
- Never go more than two levels deep. Keep top‑level folders (e.g., “Work,” “Study,” “Home”) and second‑level subfolders (e.g., “Projects,” “Resources”). After that, place notes directly in the second‑level folder.
- Use folders only when you don’t need connections. If two topics are truly separate (e.g., “Templates” vs. “Journal”), a folder makes sense. But if they need to be linked, consider MOCs instead.
- Navigate via shortcuts, not folder browsing. Use Obsidian’s Quick Switcher (Ctrl/Cmd+O) to jump to notes instantly, regardless of folder location.
Pro tip: Even with folders, you can still use MOCs and tags to improve discoverability. The key is to keep the folder structure shallow.
Folderless (MOC‑Based) Organization
A folderless system relies entirely on Maps of Content (MOCs) — index notes that link to all related notes. Instead of asking “Which folder should this note go into?” you ask “Which MOC should I link this note from?”
How MOCs Work
- Create an MOC for each major topic. For example, an “MOC Investment” note lists all investment‑related notes (stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.).
- Link every new note to the relevant MOC. When you learn about “macroeconomics,” you create a note and link it under the “MOC Investment” note.
- Navigate through MOCs. Open the MOC, then click the link to the specific note. This eliminates the need for folders entirely.
Managing Attachments
One downside of folderless systems is clutter: images and files appear alongside notes. You can solve this by setting a default attachment location in Obsidian’s settings. For example, set “Default location for new attachments” to a dedicated folder (e.g., “attachments”). This keeps your notes clean while still allowing links to media.
Tag-Based Organization
Many users try to build their entire organization system around tags. However, tags are signals, not structure. They help with discovery and filtering, but they don’t replace the need for a logical structure (folders or MOCs).
Tags as Signals
Use tags to answer simple questions like:
- “Show me all courses”
- “Show me all stories”
- “Show me all tasks”
For example, when reading the book Deep Work, you might tag notes with #story and #code. Clicking the #code tag filters all code‑related notes, making them instantly discoverable.
Using Tags for Discovery
Tags work like social‑media hashtags: they group notes that share a common theme. This is powerful for future connections—you can later click a tag to see all notes about a topic and create new links between them.
Important: Tags should not be your primary organization system. Use them alongside folders or MOCs to enhance discoverability.
Combining Approaches
You don’t have to choose just one method. The video demonstrates a hybrid approach:
- Folders for high‑level separation — Separate your vault into broad categories (e.g., “Legal,” “Finance,” “Personal”).
- MOCs for connection and navigation — Inside each folder, create MOC notes that link to all related notes. This gives you a single entry point for each topic.
- Tags for discovery and filtering — Add tags to notes to make them easy to find across the entire vault.
This combination gives you the best of all worlds: the clarity of folders, the connectivity of MOCs, and the filtering power of tags.
Watch the Video
Want to see these concepts in action? Watch the full video on YouTube: How to Organize Notes in Obsidian (Folders vs MOCs vs Tags) for a visual walkthrough of each method.
Conclusion / Final Thoughts
Organizing notes in Obsidian doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The key is to choose a system that matches your workflow and scales over time. Start with one method (e.g., folderless MOCs), and gradually add folders or tags as your needs evolve.
Remember:
- Folders work well for true separation but can create friction.
- MOCs reduce decision fatigue and keep your knowledge connected.
- Tags are signals for discovery, not a replacement for structure.
The best system is the one you’ll actually use. Experiment, iterate, and find what works for you.
Real stories. Practical lessons. Right in your inbox.
No spam—just once a week.
👋 About Me
Hi, I’m Shuvangkar Das — a power systems researcher with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, currently working as a Research Scientist. I work at the intersection of power electronics, inverter-based DERs (IBRs), and AI to help build smarter, greener, and more stable electric grids.
My work spans large-scale EMT simulations, firmware development, reinforcement learning, and hardware prototyping. Beyond engineering, I’m also a YouTuber and content creator — sharing hands-on insights on productivity, research, and knowledge management. My goal is simple: to make complex ideas more accessible and actionable for everyone.
Connect with me:
Leave a comment