> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://daisychain.gitbook.io/help/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://daisychain.gitbook.io/help/managing-data/tags-vs.-custom-fields.md).

# Tags vs. Custom Fields vs. Questions

Learn the key differences between Tags, Questions, and Custom Fields in Daisychain and understand how to effectively use each to manage and engage your contacts.

### Quick Comparison

|                                     | Tags                    | Custom Fields                        | Questions                                                |
| ----------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Best for**                        | Simple labels           | Static attributes                    | Data that changes over time                              |
| **Example**                         | "Volunteer", "Donor"    | "Preferred Language", "T-Shirt Size" | "Support Score", "Volunteer Availability"                |
| **Tracks who recorded it and when** | No                      | No                                   | Yes                                                      |
| **Easy to remove/change**           | Yes                     | Moderately                           | History is preserved — new answers don't delete old ones |
| **Filter People list**              | Yes (with AND/OR logic) | Limited (single field, exact match)  | No                                                       |
| **Filter Inbox**                    | Yes                     | No                                   | No                                                       |
| **Insert into messages**            | No                      | Yes                                  | No                                                       |

### Tags Overview

Tags are simple labels you can add or remove from people. They're best for binary information — someone either has the tag or they don't.

**Use Tags when you need to:**

* Quickly add and remove labels
* Filter the Inbox by a specific criterion
* Filter the People list using AND/OR logic across multiple tags

**Examples:** "Volunteer", "Donor", "Spanish-Speaker", "Event-Attendee"

{% hint style="info" %}
Learn more in the [Tags](/help/managing-data/tags.md) article.
{% endhint %}

### Custom Fields Overview

Custom Fields store a single value for each person. When you update a Custom Field, it overwrites the previous value — there's no history.

**Use Custom Fields when you need to:**

* Store static information that rarely changes
* Insert personalized content into messages (e.g. "Hi {{ person.preferred\_name }}")
* Record structured data like numbers or dropdown selections

**Examples:** "Preferred Language", "T-Shirt Size", "Employer", "Congressional District"

{% hint style="info" %}
Learn more in the [Custom Fields](/help/managing-data/custom-fields.md) article.
{% endhint %}

### Questions Overview

Questions let you record answers that change over time. Each answer is saved with who recorded it and when — so you can track how someone's responses evolve.

**Use Questions when you need to:**

* Ask the same question multiple times over weeks or months
* See a history of how answers have changed
* Know which team member recorded each answer

**Examples:** "Support Score (1-5)", "Will you volunteer this weekend?", "Top issue priority"

{% hint style="info" %}
Learn more in the [Questions](/help/managing-data/questions.md) article.
{% endhint %}