Google Keep is a simple but effective tool that you can use for organizing notes. However, most of us are only scratching the surface with all the features that it has. Ready to organize your notes in Google Keep? This article will give you the tips you need to make the most out of this free tool.

Pin

Pinning notes on Google Keep will put them at the top of the page. Use this to have your most important weekly or monthly tasks top of mind.

Hover over your note and click the thumbtack icon on the top right to pin.

Google Keep - Pin

Now, you’ll have a pinned section and the rest of your notes will appear below it.

Google Keep - Pinning notes

Use labels

Labels act like folders. They allow you to keep all your notes on one topic together. You can add new labels two ways.

Method 1

Hover over a note, click the more section, then add label.

Google Keep - using labels

Next, enter a label name.

Google Keep - labels

Method 2

Choose Create new label from the menu on the left.

Google Keep - Labels

Enter a label name, click done.

Google Keep - Labels

Now, you can add notes to this new category or move existing ones.

Note: You can also create labels by entering hashtags, but we don’t recommend that method. There’s a better use for hashtags below.

Color Code

This is my personal favorite. If you’re a visual person, this will be the most useful feature for you. Color coding your notes is one of the fastest ways to identify them. This function also works well when combined with labels

Hover over your note to the palette icon, then select your color:

Google Keep - color coding

That’s it. Color-coded notes!

Google Keep - color coding notes

Set Reminders

Everyone is busy, and it’s easy to forget about all the things you want to do. That said, what’s the point in keeping a bunch of notes if you don’t ever do anything with them? Using the reminders feature in Google Keep will help you stay on track and avoid losing that article you meant to read in a pile of other things.

Hover over your note to the finger and string icon.

Google Keep - reminders

Once clicked, choose when you want to be reminded about your note.

Google Keep - reminders

Add Drawings to Existing Notes

If you’re using Google Keep, you probably already know that you can also create drawings. Did you know that you can add this type of content to existing notes? Eliminate the clutter that comes with new ideas by adding on to notes you already have.

Go the more section and select add drawing.

Google Keep - Add drawing

This page will open for you to draw whatever you’d like.

Google Keep - add drawing

When you hit the back button on that page, you’ll be taken back to your note where your drawing will appear.

Google Keep- drawings

Create “Hashtags”

You can use hashtags to make searching easier. For example, let’s say that you have a “work” label, but in that category, you want to separate meetings and assignments for search. You can do that by adding hashtags.

Select the label for the notes you want to add hashtags to from the menu.

Click your note to edit it.

Google Keep - adding hashtags to notes

Add your hashtag and close the note. To avoid creating a new label from your hashtag, press the spacebar once when you’ve finished entering the text.

Google Keep - use hashtags

Archive

It’s tempting to be a packrat when keeping notes. However, archiving is an option for notes you’ll need later but don’t want to delete. It takes notes off the homepage, but still keeps them in your account.

Open your note and select the downward arrow icon.

archive notes in Google Keep

You’ll see that the note is no longer on your dashboard. Select archive from the menu on the left.

Google Keep - using archives

There’s your note!archives in Google Keep

Bonus: Use the Google Keep Chrome Extension

This helps you go the extra mile to make sure you’re keeping your notes in one place. The extension allows you to grab pages, text, and images from anywhere on the web and save them in Google Keep.

Posted by Alyssa Goulet

Alyssa Goulet is a freelance technology and marketing copywriter. Her past clients include Demoflick, Focus@Will, and Chegg. Find out more by visiting her website, copyoncue.com or say hi on Twitter: @alyssagwrites.

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