The question of whether the reading list is the same as bookmarks is an interesting one. On the surface, they may seem quite similar, as both are used to save and organize websites or articles for future reference. However, there are some key differences that set them apart.
First, let’s talk about bookmarks. Bookmarks are a long-standing feature in web browsers, including Chrome. They allow you to save a webpage’s URL so that you can easily revisit it later. Bookmarks are typically stored in a dedicated folder or menu within the browser, and you can create folders within folders to further organize them. You can also edit and delete bookmarks as needed. Bookmarks are meant to be more permanent in nature, serving as a way to keep track of websites you frequently visit or want to access easily.
On the other hand, the reading list is a relatively newer feature introduced in Chrome. It is designed to provide a temporary place to store articles or websites that you want to read or revisit at a later time. The reading list is meant to be more of a short-term solution, allowing you to easily keep track of things you want to read without cluttering up your bookmarks.
One of the main advantages of the reading list is its simplicity and ease of use. Adding an article or webpage to the reading list is just a couple of clicks away, and you can access it directly from the Chrome toolbar. This makes it convenient for quickly saving something to read later without the need to navigate through menus or folders.
Another key feature of the reading list is its ability to sync across devices. If you’re signed in to Chrome with your Google account, you can access your reading list on any device where you’re signed in. This can be particularly useful if you like to switch between reading on your computer, phone, or tablet.
In terms of organization, the reading list is more limited compared to bookmarks. While you can manually rearrange items in the reading list, there are no options for creating folders or subfolders. This means that if you have a large number of saved articles, it may become harder to keep track of them over time.
So, while bookmarks and the reading list serve similar purposes of saving and organizing websites or articles, there are distinct differences between the two. Bookmarks are more permanent and customizable, allowing for extensive organization, while the reading list is more focused on temporary storage and easy access across devices.
In my personal experience, I find the reading list to be a useful tool for quickly saving articles or websites that catch my interest while browsing. I often use it as a way to declutter my bookmarks and keep them reserved for websites I visit frequently or want to keep for long-term reference. However, I still rely on bookmarks for more extensive organization and storing websites that I want to access regularly.
Whether you choose to use bookmarks, the reading list, or a combination of both depends on your personal preferences and browsing habits. It’s worth experimenting with both features to see which one suits your needs better.