
Importing and exporting bookmarks between web browsers and other tools is a straightforward process that anyone can do. It allows you to transfer your saved website links and folders between different devices, services, and software. Here, we'll go over the basics of importing and exporting bookmarks in several popular browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and also WebCull our bookmark manager service. We'll also touch on other potential uses for browser bookmark export files, such as creating personal backups or sharing bookmarks with family and friends.
First off, if you’re not already familiar with bookmark exporting, here's a brief explanation:
In most web browsers, bookmarks are saved into folders in your bookmark manager, or in a special folder called the "bookmarks bar" or "bookmarks menu". This folder allows you to access your saved links quickly from any browser window. When you create an export file all your bookmarks and folders are saved into a standardized HTML file that most browsers and tools (like Chrome, Firefox, WebCull) understand. This export file can actually be opened just like a normal HTML page in a web browser, which is a great way to preview what’s inside, but it’s actually a specially formatted HTML file to facilitate the import and export of the links in a hierarchical folder structure. So you probably shouldn’t ever edit this file unless you really know what you’re doing because it could corrupt the file and prevent it from being able to be imported.
In Chrome, you can export your bookmarks by going to the "Bookmarks" menu at the top and selecting "Bookmark Manager". From there, you need to find the three dot menu button in the bookmark manager (which should be near the top right), clicking this will give you more options. There you should see options to import or export your bookmarks. This will either select or save a browser export file which can be used for bookmark manager importation.
Bookmarks -> Bookmark Manager -> 3 Dot Menu -> Import/Export Bookmarks
In Firefox, you can export your bookmarks by going to the "Bookmarks" menu at the top and selecting "Manage Bookmarks". From there, you need to find the drop down menu button with two arrows, one pointing up and one pointing down (which should be near the top left), clicking this will give you more options. There you should see options to import or export your bookmarks as a HTML file. This will either select or save a browser export file which can be used for bookmark manager importation.
Bookmarks -> Manage Bookmarks -> Arrows Up/Down Menu -> Export/Import Bookmarks to HTML...
In Safari, you can export your bookmarks by going to the “File” menu at the top and selecting “Export”. From there, you will see an option called “Bookmarks” which lets you save the especially formatted HTML bookmark export file. Likewise, to do an import you would click the “File” menu at the top and select “Import From”. There you will find an option to click “Bookmarks HTML File…” which will allow you to select an export file from your computer.
File -> Export -> Bookmarks...
WebCull is an online bookmark manager that can be accessed from any device or browser, rather than a browser like the other options listed above. Exporting or importing from WebCull works very similar to the browser process. After logging into your account, you need to locate the gear located at the top right. You may not see it immediately because if you're on a desktop or laptop the menu is hidden until you hover your cursor near the top right of the bookmark manager. Once you click the gear a menu will appear where you will find options for import or export. If you click import you can select a browser export HTML file to import. You can likewise export your bookmarks to the same format to be re-imported into a browser.
Top navigation bar -> Settings Gear Icon -> Export/Import
Other popular browsers, such as Brave and Edge, also have the ability to import and export bookmarks. The specific steps for doing so may vary slightly from the ones outlined above, but the general process is similar. In the Brave browser the steps are almost identical to the Chrome steps. Check the browser's documentation or online resources for more information on how to import and export bookmarks in these and other browsers.