As an SEO and digital marketing expert with over 10 years of experience, I often find myself bookmarking useful websites and resources to revisit later. However, losing these carefully curated bookmarks due to a browser crash, computer issue, or simply switching to a new device can set back productivity.
Therefore, knowing how to properly export and back up Chrome bookmarks is an essential skill for any power internet user. In this comprehensive guide, I will share step-by-step instructions, as well as my best tips and practices for safeguarding your browser bookmarks.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Export and Backup Chrome Bookmarks
Here are the main reasons why learning how to export and backup Chrome bookmarks is so important:
1. Protect Against Data Loss
Browser crashes, computer issues, or accidental deletions can all cause you to lose your bookmarks. Exporting and backing them up ensures you have a separate copy that can be easily imported back if needed.
2. Transfer Bookmarks to a New Computer
If you get a new computer, exporting your bookmarks allows you to seamlessly transfer them rather than tediously re-bookmarking sites one by one.
3. Sync Bookmarks Across Multiple Devices
You can import exported Chrome bookmark files onto additional laptops, phones, tablets, etc. to keep all your devices synced up.
4. Switch Browsers Without Losing Data
Want to migrate from Chrome to Firefox or another browser? The export file makes it simple to import your existing bookmark library.
Step-by-Step Guide to Export Chrome Bookmarks
Exporting bookmarks on Chrome only takes a few clicks. Follow these simple steps:
- Open the Chrome browser on your computer.
- Click on the 3-dot menu button in the top right corner and select “Bookmarks”.
- From the dropdown menu, choose “Bookmark Manager”.
- Inside the Bookmark Manager, click on the 3-dot menu button located at the top right.
- Select “Export Bookmarks” from the menu.
A save prompt will appear. Choose where you want to store the exported bookmarks file and click “Save”.
And that’s it! Chrome has now exported all of your current bookmarks into an HTML file that can be imported anywhere.
How to Backup Chrome Bookmarks
While the export process is quick, you need an effective backup solution to truly safeguard your exported Chrome bookmarks.
Here are some options I recommend:
Store on an External Hard Drive or USB
For local backup, save the exported HTML file onto an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or SD card that you can keep in a safe place.
Upload to a Secure Cloud Storage Service
Cloud backup services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive give you offsite protection if your local devices are ever lost, stolen or damaged.
Use a Dedicated Password Manager
Many password managers like LastPass have built-in bookmark storage. This encrypts and saves your bookmark backups to the cloud automatically.
Set Reminders to Backup Regularly
Don’t just export your bookmarks once. Set calendar reminders to rerun the export process on a regular basis, such as monthly or quarterly. This ensures you always have a recent backup.
Tips for Effectively Managing Chrome Bookmarks
Beyond just backup best practices, here are some additional professional tips for staying organized:
Create Folders and Organize by Topic
Sort your bookmarks into logical folders and sub-folders named by topic or project. This keeps things tidy.
Rename Unclear Default Titles
When you bookmark a site, it automatically pulls over the page title which may be vague. Manually re-name with something descriptive.
Prune Broken, Outdated or Irrelevant Links
Check for broken links and remove bookmarks for old sites you no longer need. Cut the clutter.
Tag and Comment for Easier Searching
Using descriptive tags and adding contextual comments makes finding bookmarks faster later.
Review and Audit Bookmarks Regularly
Set a reminder to review your bookmarks library every 3-6 months. Delete unused ones and fill in any new resource gaps.
Import Chrome Bookmarks onto a New Browser or Computer
Once you’ve exported your up-to-date Chrome bookmarks file, bringing that data into a new browser or computer is simple. Here’s what to do:
- Open the target browser you want to import bookmarks into.
- Access the bookmark manager and look for the import function.
- Select the option to import bookmarks from an HTML or export file.
- Navigate to and choose your previously exported Chrome bookmark file.
- The browser will automatically import all bookmark data into your account!
And that’s all it takes to seamlessly transfer your Chrome bookmarks to any new environment in just a few clicks.
Conclusion
Losing your hard-earned bookmark library can negatively impact productivity and waste precious time relocating key sites you visit regularly. By learning how to properly export bookmarks from Chrome, create backups, and subsequently import onto additional browsers and computers, you can protect this valuable data.
Implementing the bookmark backup best practices outlined in this comprehensive guide takes just minutes but saves you the headache of trying to recover or rebuild lost links later. Treat your bookmarks like any other crucial business asset – back them up! Let me know if you have any other questions.