1.6 KiB
The choice between frontmatter and main text for internal links in Obsidian depends on the purpose and nature of the links:
Put links in frontmatter when:
- Creating structured metadata relationships (like tags, categories, or formal associations)
- Building MOCs (Maps of Content) or index pages where you want clean, scannable link lists
- Using plugins that specifically read frontmatter fields (like Dataview queries)
- Creating "up" links to parent topics or broader categories
- Setting up formal taxonomies or hierarchical relationships
Put links in main text when:
- The links are part of your natural writing flow and thinking process
- You're making contextual connections that relate to specific ideas or sentences
- The links represent your active thought process while writing
- You want the links to be part of your reading experience when reviewing notes
- The connections are discoveries or insights that emerged while writing
Hybrid approach: Many Obsidian users combine both methods. For example, you might put formal category links in frontmatter (parent: [[Project Management]]) while keeping contextual, thought-based links in the body text where they naturally arise during writing.
The main text approach tends to be more organic and supports the "thinking in writing" philosophy that many note-takers prefer, while frontmatter links are better for systematic organization and plugin automation. Consider your primary use case: if you're building a knowledge system for later querying and analysis, lean toward frontmatter structure. If you're thinking through ideas and making connections as you write, embed them naturally in your text.