I think this is something not talked about. Why do you use your favourites? For what? For me - Generally I use my favourites like a bookmark for new species or mystery ones. I also fave first ids when I flag the taxon so that once the taxon is created, I can find it and then of course to not clutter my faves, unfave it.

especially beautiful photos, unique/unusual features, good mimics, kinda just anything i think i might wanna be able to find again

I tend to use it for a few reasons: something I find interesting/beautiful/ photos I find amusing an observation of a particular species seen in an area I hope to/plan on visiting anything else I think I may want to find again easily

Ooh, a reason to peruse my faves again? This was fun! Here’s some of what I found: Critters that made me go “what is that? That I’d like to follow up on later (ex. This mystery wild cat from Bolivia that suddenly seems very exciting…) Species I had never heard of before that I thought were interesting (Like this stoneroot flower moth) Species that are extremely rare or now-extinct (Like this Wood’s Cycad) Things that made me giggle (Including this hilariously perched pigeon) Individual organisms that are strange in some way (This fox is one of my favorite observations of all time <3) and whatever else makes the little goblin in my brain go “ooh, shiny!” ((Like this beautifully photographed mantis!)

[image] aaravmishra: I think this is something not talked about. Why do you use your favourites? For what? https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/poll-what-are-good-reasons-to-fave-an-observation/ https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-favourites-as-bookmarks/

I mainly favorite observations with really good photos / photos that I like, funny observations (like Mrs. Dave), and interesting observations (Vagrants, odd colors, behaviors, etc) I have a google doc for any “useful” observations to go back and reference as needed so I dont need to favorite them. I also keep my other reference links there and have it organized somewhat.

I give Favs to new iNaturalist’s observations in my country. I hope it gives a little encouragement.

[image] aaravmishra: Why do you use your favourites? For what? I use this as a way to highlight selected observations that has a photo (or photos) and sometimes a great set of images that present robust markers (physical characteristics - morphological) to help with identification (ID) of species (and subspecies). Ideally, I aim to create a journal post and it is based on a calendar year format of selected observations that meet my criteria for capturing the markers with the intent of an educational process - for me and for others. Thus, I have that in mind when I fave an observation. Near the end of the year, I go through them (with some triage) and use it in an extended journal post to then narrate the “why” in the selection for ‘exemplar’ in identification. I think this can be useful as a way to use actual observations in a given year to showcase how others have added in to the “good example of images that help to ID” and then I highlight the markers. For me, the faved list will be centered on Mule Deer (as example - obs showing two or more markers: antler structure, ears, face profile, pelage, tail profile, metatarsal gland…etc). On occasion, the faved also represents the functional + the aesthetic + behavioral.

Faved observations talk

General

AdamWargon September 26, 2026, 9:23pm 5

https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/poll-what-are-good-reasons-to-fave-an-observation/

https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-favourites-as-bookmarks/

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Poll: What are good reasons to fave an observation? General	40	3876	December 18, 2019
Possibly fake accounts General	14	1532	July 26, 2020
Using favourites as bookmarks General	6	1167	January 27, 2021
Organizing My Favorited Observations General question	9	441	July 10, 2026
Remove multiple favorited observations at once Feature Requests web	13	1072	November 10, 2020

Faved observations talk

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