Bookmark

A bookmark is a marker used to identify a specific page or location within a text. In a printed book, a bookmark is a tangible object—such as a ribbon, card, or slip of paper—that is placed between pages to keep track of where a reader left off or to mark a passage for later reference. In digital contexts, a bookmark refers to a saved link or location within an electronic document or website, enabling quick return.

Physical bookmarks have a long history in reading culture. Ribbons and paper slips have been used for centuries, evolving into commercial bookmarks made of cardboard, metal, or fabric. In libraries, bookmarks help manage loans, guide readers to pages, and signal sections in catalogs and reading rooms. The term bookmark derived from the practice of marking a place in a book for future continuation.

Digital bookmarks include browser bookmarks, saved URLs that can be renamed, organized into folders or tags, and synchronized across devices. In PDFs and e-books, bookmarks create navigable anchors to chapters and sections. Social bookmarking platforms in the 2000s allowed users to tag and share links publicly. Some applications distinguish between 'bookmarks' and 'favorites' depending on software, though they perform a similar function.

Bookmarks aid information retrieval, study, and research, enabling quick revisits and organization of digital resources. They also raise privacy and management considerations, as shared or synchronized bookmarks can reveal browsing habits. Best practices include using descriptive names, organizing with folders or tags, and periodically pruning outdated entries.