How to Favorite a Website on Mac (Without Overcomplicating It)

We’ve all been there—you find a site you know you’re going to visit again. Maybe it’s your favorite recipe blog, a design inspiration site, or a web-based tool you use every day. But then... you forget to save it. Fast forward to three days later, and now you’re digging through your history like a digital archaeologist.

Let’s put an end to that nonsense. Favoriting (or bookmarking) a website on a Mac is quick, easy, and totally worth it—as long as you know where to look.

In this blog, we’ll break down how to favorite a website on a Mac using all the major browsers, why it matters, and what to do if it’s not working. We’ll also hit you with some pro tips to keep your bookmarks organized and your browsing smooth.We’ve all been there—you find a site you know you’re going to visit again. Maybe it’s your favorite recipe blog, a design inspiration site, or a web-based tool you use every day. But then... you forget to save it. Fast forward to three days later, and now you’re digging through your history like a digital archaeologist.

Let’s put an end to that nonsense. Favoriting (or bookmarking) a website on a Mac is quick, easy, and totally worth it—as long as you know where to look.

In this blog, we’ll break down how to favorite a website on a Mac using all the major browsers, why it matters, and what to do if it’s not working. We’ll also hit you with some pro tips to keep your bookmarks organized and your browsing smooth.

The Problem: Too Many Tabs, Too Little Time

If you’re like most Mac users, your browser is a mess of tabs. You’ve got 12 tabs open, 5 of them are duplicates, and you’re afraid to close any because one of them was important. Sound familiar?

That’s the exact problem favoriting a website solves.

The risk of not favoriting your go-to websites:You’ll lose track, waste time searching, and possibly never find that gem of a website again. And if you’re working or studying online, that delay can mean missed deadlines, wasted effort, or even lost business opportunities.

The Simple Solution: Bookmarking/Favoriting on Mac

Let’s fix that in under 60 seconds. Below are step-by-step guides for the four most popular browsers on Mac:

1. Safari: The Mac Native

Safari is the default browser for macOS. If you haven’t changed anything, this is what your Mac opens automatically.

How to Favorite a Website in Safari

Option 1: Use the Share Button

1. Open Safari and go to the website you want to favorite.

2. Click the Share icon (a square with an upward arrow) in the top toolbar.

3. Select Add Bookmark or Add to Favorites from the dropdown.

4. Choose where to save it:

   • If you want it to appear on the Favorites Bar, select "Favorites."

   • If you want to tuck it away for later, choose another folder.

5. Click Add.

   
   

Option 2: Use the Shortcut

Press Command (⌘) + D to instantly bring up the bookmark window.

Where Do Bookmarks Show Up in Safari?

• Favorites Bar: Right below the URL bar—quickest access.

• Sidebar: Click the sidebar icon (📚) and go to Bookmarks.

• Start Page: Your favorites show as icons on Safari’s New Tab page.

Pro Tip:

You can organize Safari bookmarks by dragging them directly in the Favorites Bar or Sidebar.

2. Google Chrome: For the Power Users

Chrome is super popular among designers, devs, and anyone who lives in Google’s ecosystem.

How to Favorite a Website in Chrome

Option 1: Star Icon

1. Go to the site.

2. Click the star icon in the URL bar (far right side).

3. Choose a name and location for the bookmark (e.g., “Bookmarks Bar” or a custom folder).

4. Click Done.

   
   

Option 2: Shortcut

Press Command (⌘) + D just like in Safari.

Where to See Your Bookmarks in Chrome

• Bookmarks Bar: Toggle it on by pressing Shift + Command + B.

• Bookmarks Manager: Click the three dots → Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager.

  
  

Pro Tip:

Use folders in your Bookmarks Bar to group bookmarks by type: Work, Fun, Tools, etc. Chrome also syncs across devices when you're signed in with a Google account.

3. Mozilla Firefox: Privacy First, Bookmarks Second

Firefox might not be the flashiest, but it’s rock solid—especially if you care about privacy.

How to Favorite a Website in Firefox

Option 1: Click the Star

1. Visit the site.

2. Click the star icon in the URL bar. It’ll turn blue once saved.

3. Click it again to edit the bookmark name, folder, or tags.

Option 2: Shortcut

Yep, Command (⌘) + D works here too.

Where Are Firefox Bookmarks Stored?

• Library Menu: Click the hamburger icon (☰) → Bookmarks → Manage Bookmarks.

• Bookmarks Toolbar: Can be turned on via View → Toolbars → Bookmarks Toolbar.

Pro Tip:

Firefox lets you tag bookmarks, which is awesome if you want to find things by theme (like #design or #food).

4. Microsoft Edge: The New Kid That’s Actually Good

Edge on Mac? Believe it or not, it’s actually solid—and based on the same Chromium engine as Chrome.

How to Favorite a Website in Edge

Option 1: Click the Star

1. Go to your site.

2. Click the star icon in the URL bar.

3. Choose a folder and click Done.

Option 2: Shortcut

Still Command (⌘) + D. Consistency is a beautiful thing.

Where to View Bookmarks (Favorites)

• Favorites Bar: Show or hide it by pressing Command + Shift + B.

• Favorites Menu: Click the star icon with three lines (in the toolbar) for a dropdown list.

Pro Tip:

Edge syncs favorites if you’re logged into a Microsoft account—so your stuff follows you from work to home.

But Wait... What’s the Difference Between “Bookmark” and “Favorite”?

Honestly? Not much. In most browsers, the terms are interchangeable. But if you want to get nitpicky:

• “Favorites” are typically bookmarks saved to your main bar or most-used folder.

• “Bookmarks” can include all saved sites, including stuff you don’t need often.

In Safari, for example, you’ll add a bookmark but choose to save it in the

Favorites folder if you want fast access.

Troubleshooting: When the Star Icon Isn’t There

Sometimes things don’t show up the way they should. If you can’t find the star icon or the bookmark isn’t saving, try this:

Clear Cache & Restart the Browser

Browsers get cluttered just like your desktop. Try quitting and reopening.

Are You in Private Mode?

Incognito/Private Mode doesn’t save bookmarks in some setups. Switch to a regular window.

Permissions or Extensions

Ad blockers or security extensions can interfere with browser toolbars. Disable them temporarily and test.

Organizing Your Bookmarks Like a Pro

Here’s where most people drop the ball—they save sites and never organize them. Then they wonder why they can’t find anything. Let’s change that.

Tips for Bookmark Management:

1. Create folders: Group by category—like “Inspiration,” “Tools,” “Recipes,” “Read Later,” or “Clients.”

2. Use emojis in folder names: Helps you spot them quickly.

3. Review monthly: Toss out dead links and outdated sites.

4. Use a cloud sync: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge all sync across devices if you’re logged in.

Bonus: Using the Dock or Desktop for Your Favorite Sites

If you’re a minimalist and don’t want to even open a browser first, try this.

Add Website to Dock

1. Open Safari.

2. Visit the site you want.

3. Click and drag the URL from the address bar to the right side of the Dock (next to the Trash).

4. Done! You now have a clickable shortcut straight from the Dock.

Save Website as a Desktop Shortcut

1. Open the site in Safari.

2. Resize the browser window so you can see your desktop.

3. Drag the URL icon (small globe or lock next to address) onto the desktop.

4. Double-click anytime to open.

Should You Use a Bookmark Manager App?

If you’re really deep in the rabbit hole and have dozens (or hundreds) of bookmarks, third-party apps might be worth it.

Popular Tools:

• Raindrop.io – Cross-platform, tags, thumbnails, clean UI.

• Pocket – Best for saving articles to read later.

• Pinboard – For nerds who like simple, text-based bookmark storage.

These tools offer better search, organization, and long-term management than native browser bookmarks.

Wrapping It Up: Why This Small Habit Pays Off

Favoriting a website might seem like a tiny action, but it’s one of those tiny actions that compound. Save 30 seconds here, a few minutes there... and suddenly you’re more productive, less frustrated, and more in control of your workflow.

• Command + D is your best friend.

• Save to Favorites for fast access.

• Organize bookmarks monthly.

• Use folders and emojis to make them fun and functional.

Next time you stumble on a site you like, don’t trust your memory—favorite it.