Protocol
Write one retrieval cue in the title
The future query may not resemble the source's headline.
When it fits
- A saved note has a descriptive title but not the words you will remember when the need returns.
When to avoid it
- Do not stuff titles with every synonym; one or two strong cues are enough when full-text search exists.
Why it matters
Name the note with at least one cue from the future problem, task or decision—not only the document's original title. Keep the exact source title in metadata when useful. The goal is to give content search and scanning a bridge from need to information.
Steps
- You can imagine the phrase you would search later and see it in the title or aliases.
An example
Instead of 'Green Book 2026 notes,' use 'Project estimate optimism bias — Green Book 2026.'
Check your result
You can imagine the phrase you would search later and see it in the title or aliases.
Keep this limit in mind
- Do not stuff titles with every synonym; one or two strong cues are enough when full-text search exists.
Evidence and sources
Supports
PIM research emphasizes a mapping between information and anticipated or current need: keeping moves from information toward a future need, while finding moves from need toward information.
People cannot predict every future use, so keeping rules should be lightweight and revisable.
Personal Information Management · Abstract
Supports
Information re-finding research distinguishes content search, browsing structures and contextual cues as different ways people relocate previously encountered information.
The review is older and specific tools have changed; the retrieval-mode distinction remains the relevant claim.