---
description: >-
  Learn the key differences between Tags and Custom Fields in Daisychain and
  understand how to effectively use each to manage and engage your contacts.
---

# Tags vs. Custom Fields

#### [**Tags**](tags)

Tags are best used for simple, binary information that is easy to add, filter, and remove. Use Tags when you need to:

* **Easily Remove a Recorded Value for a Given Person**: If you anticipate needing to frequently add and remove a label for your People, Tags are ideal.&#x20;
* **Filter the** [**Inbox**](https://help.daisychain.app/inbox) **by a Specific Criterion**: Tags allow you to filter your inbox efficiently, so you can see just the conversations with People who have a particular Tag.&#x20;
* [**Filter the People List**](filtering-people) **Using Complex Logic:** Tags support flexible filtering using "AND" and "OR" logic, making it easy to segment People who meet one or several criteria—e.g., everyone tagged as both "volunteer" AND "Spanish-speaking," or anyone tagged as either "donor" OR "event attendee."

#### [Custom Fields](custom-fields)

Custom Fields are more versatile and are used for storing detailed or variable information. Use Custom Fields when you need to:

* **Record Freeform Content**: If you need to capture detailed notes or varied information about a contact, Custom Fields are the way to go. They allow for more flexibility in the type of data you store.
* **Insert Variable Content in Messages**: Custom Fields enable you to personalize messages by inserting specific details about your contacts directly into your communications.

However, be aware that Custom Fields are not always as easy to manage in terms of removal of values. Unlike Tags, removing a recorded value in Custom Fields can be more complex and not always straightforward -- especially for "Select" (AKA "dropdown") custom field types.



|                                 | **Tags**                                                      | **Custom Fields**                                                                                                              |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Best for...**                 | Simple, binary labels (e.g. “Volunteer”)                      | Detailed, varied, or structured info (e.g. “Preferred Language”)                                                               |
| **Easily add/remove values**    | ✅ Yes – quick to update or clear                              | ⚠️ Not always – especially tricky with dropdowns                                                                               |
| **Filter Inbox**                | ✅ Yes – filter by a single Tag                                | 🚫 No – not supported in Inbox filters                                                                                         |
| **Filter People list**          | ✅ Yes – supports flexible AND/OR filtering with multiple Tags | ⚠️ Limited – you can filter by an exact match of a single custom field, but not with compound logic or multiple custom fields. |
| **Insert into messages**        | 🚫 No – not supported for merge fields                        | ✅ Yes – values can be inserted dynamically                                                                                     |
| **Freeform notes or long text** | 🚫 Not ideal                                                  | ✅ Great for open-ended or detailed content                                                                                     |
