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Shelfy

Turn scattered links and browser tabs into beautiful, organized collections your audience will actually explore. Free forever.

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faq

Common questions and answers about using the platform, managing collections, and collaborating with teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers to the most common questions about our platform. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact our support team.

Getting Started

How do I create an account?

Visit our signup page and choose from multiple authentication options:

  • Email and Password: Traditional signup with email verification
  • Magic Link: Passwordless login via email
  • Google OAuth: Sign in with your Google account
  • One-Time Password (OTP): Secure code-based authentication

You'll need to verify your email address to activate full account features.

Is there a free plan?

Yes! Personal accounts include unlimited private collections, 10,000 links, and all core features. Team accounts have various plans starting with a free tier for small teams.

Can I import my existing bookmarks?

Yes! We support imports from multiple sources:

  • Browser bookmarks: HTML bookmark files from Chrome, Firefox, Safari
  • File formats: CSV, JSON files with your link data
  • Direct URL lists: Plain text files with URLs
  • Paste directly: Copy and paste multiple URLs at once

Note: We don't currently integrate directly with bookmark services like Pocket or Raindrop.io, but you can export from those services and import the files here.

How do I install the browser extension?

Go to your account settings and click "Install Browser Extension." We support Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. The extension enables one-click saving from any website.

Collections and Organization

How do I create a new collection?

There are several ways to create collections:

  • Quick Access: Click your profile picture in the top-right corner and select "Create Collection"
  • Collections Page: Go to your Collections page and click the "Create Collection" button
  • Browser Extension: Use the extension to save a link and create a new collection simultaneously
  • Import Process: Create collections while importing bookmarks or links

The creation process will ask for a name, optional description, and privacy settings.

What's the difference between collections and folders?

Collections are smart containers for your links that can include metadata, tags, descriptions, and sharing settings. Unlike simple folders, collections have features like:

  • Custom themes and layouts
  • Privacy controls
  • Collaboration features
  • Analytics and insights
  • Automatic metadata extraction
  • Link validation and health monitoring

How many collections can I create?

Personal accounts have unlimited collections. The limit is on total links (10,000 for free accounts) rather than collections.

Can I organize collections into folders?

Collections are the primary organizational unit. Instead of nested folders, use:

  • Descriptive collection names
  • Tags for cross-collection organization
  • Search and filtering features
  • Collection categories

What happens to broken links?

We automatically check links periodically and flag broken ones. You can:

  • Update the URL manually
  • Remove broken links
  • Use our link checker tool
  • Set up notifications for broken links
  • Run bulk validation on entire collections

How do I add links to a collection?

Multiple ways to add links:

  • Manual Entry: Paste URLs directly into the collection
  • Browser Extension: One-click saving from any webpage
  • Bulk Import: Upload CSV, JSON, or bookmark files
  • Drag and Drop: Drop files directly onto the collection
  • Email Forwarding: Send links via email (premium feature)

What is metadata extraction?

When you add a link, we automatically extract:

  • Page title and description
  • Thumbnail image
  • Publication date
  • Author information
  • Keywords and tags
  • Social media previews

This process can take a few seconds to minutes depending on the website. You can always edit this information manually.

How do I organize links within a collection?

Several organization methods:

  • Drag and Drop: Reorder links manually
  • Tags: Add multiple tags to each link
  • Search: Find specific links quickly
  • Filters: Sort by date, title, or tag
  • Categories: Group related links together
  • Custom Positions: Set specific ordering

Can I duplicate or copy collections?

Yes! You can:

  • Duplicate entire collections with all links
  • Copy collections between personal and team accounts
  • Export collections as templates for reuse
  • Share collection templates with others

Privacy and Sharing

Who can see my collections?

It depends on your privacy settings:

  • Private: Only you can access
  • Team Shared: Team members can view/edit
  • Public: Anyone with the link can view
  • Unlisted: Public but not searchable

Can I share individual links instead of entire collections?

Yes! You can:

  • Copy individual link URLs
  • Export selected links
  • Create mini-collections for specific sharing
  • Use our sharing widgets

How do I make a collection public?

  1. Open collection settings
  2. Change visibility to "Public"
  3. Add a compelling description
  4. Review content for quality
  5. Share the public URL

Can I control who edits my shared collections?

Yes! For team collections, you can set permission levels:

  • View Only: Can see but not edit
  • Contributor: Can add links
  • Editor: Can modify everything
  • Admin: Full control

Team Features

How do I create a team account?

From your personal account, click "Create Team" and follow the setup wizard. You'll need to choose a team name, invite members, and configure initial settings.

Can I have both personal and team accounts?

Yes! You can belong to multiple teams while maintaining your personal account. Switch between accounts using the account selector.

How much does a team account cost?

We offer flexible team pricing based on your needs. Personal accounts are free with core features, and team accounts have paid options for collaboration features.

Check our pricing page for current rates and plan details.

Can team members see my personal collections?

No. Personal collections remain completely private unless you explicitly share them. Team membership only provides access to team collections.

Technical Questions

Is there an API?

Yes! We provide a comprehensive REST API for:

  • Collection management
  • Link operations
  • Team administration
  • Analytics access

API documentation is available in your account settings.

Can I export my data?

Absolutely! You can export in multiple formats:

  • CSV: Spreadsheet compatible
  • JSON: Complete data structure
  • HTML: Browser bookmarks format
  • PDF: Printable lists

Is my data backed up?

Yes, we automatically backup all data with:

  • Daily automated backups
  • 30-day retention period
  • Multiple geographic locations
  • Point-in-time recovery options

What browsers are supported?

We support all modern browsers:

  • Chrome: Full extension support
  • Firefox: Full extension support
  • Safari: Extension available
  • Edge: Works via web interface
  • Mobile browsers: Responsive design

Account Management

How do I change my password?

Go to Account Settings > Security > Change Password. You'll need to enter your current password and choose a new one.

Can I delete my account?

Yes, but this action is irreversible. Go to Account Settings > Security > Delete Account. All your data will be permanently removed.

What if I forget my password?

Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. We'll send you a secure reset link via email.

How do I enable two-factor authentication?

  1. Go to Account Settings > Security
  2. Click "Enable 2FA"
  3. Scan the QR code with your authenticator app
  4. Enter the verification code
  5. Save your backup codes

Billing and Subscriptions

How does billing work for teams?

Team accounts have flexible billing options. You're only charged for active team members, with monthly or annual payment options available.

Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan?

Yes! You can change plans anytime from the billing section. Upgrades take effect immediately, while downgrades apply at the next billing cycle.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept:

  • Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
  • PayPal
  • Bank transfers (enterprise plans)
  • Invoicing (enterprise plans)

Is there a refund policy?

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all paid plans. Contact support for refund requests.

Mobile and Browser Extension

Is there a mobile app?

Currently, we offer:

  • Mobile web: Responsive web interface that works great on phones and tablets
  • Native mobile apps: Coming soon for iOS and Android

You can access all features through your mobile browser for now.

Can I save links from my phone?

Yes! Current options:

  • Use the responsive web interface on your mobile browser
  • Bookmark our collections page for quick access
  • Share sheet integration: Coming soon for iOS/Android
  • Mobile browser extension: Coming soon

How does the browser extension work?

The browser extension provides:

  • One-click Saving: Save any webpage instantly
  • Collection Selection: Choose destination collection
  • Quick Collection Creation: Create new collections on-the-fly
  • Automatic Metadata: Extract titles, descriptions, and images
  • Batch Saving: Save multiple tabs at once
  • Offline Queuing: Save links when offline, sync when connected

Can I customize the browser extension?

Yes! Customization options include:

  • Default Collection: Set where links save by default
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Custom hotkeys for quick saving
  • Auto-Tagging: Automatically add tags based on website
  • Save Confirmation: Show/hide success notifications
  • Icon Position: Choose toolbar placement

Does the extension work on all websites?

The extension works on most websites, but some limitations exist:

  • Chrome Web Store: Extensions can't modify other extension pages
  • Internal Browser Pages: Settings, history pages are restricted
  • Some Corporate Sites: May block extension functionality
  • Local Files: Limited access to file:// URLs

For restricted sites, use the manual save option on your collections page.

Why isn't the browser extension working?

Common solutions:

  1. Refresh and Retry: Reload the page and try again
  2. Check Login Status: Ensure you're logged into your account
  3. Update Extension: Install the latest version
  4. Clear Extension Data: Reset extension settings
  5. Restart Browser: Close and reopen your browser
  6. Check Permissions: Ensure extension has necessary permissions
  7. Disable Other Extensions: Check for conflicts
  8. Contact Support: If issues persist

Can I save private pages or password-protected content?

The extension can save:

  • Public Pages: Freely accessible websites
  • Logged-in Content: Pages you have access to
  • Private URLs: Links save, but metadata extraction may be limited

Note: We never store passwords or sensitive data, only the URLs and publicly available metadata.

Troubleshooting

My collections aren't syncing

Try these steps:

  1. Check your internet connection
  2. Refresh the page
  3. Force sync from settings
  4. Clear browser cache
  5. Contact support if needed

I can't find a saved link

Use these search methods:

  • Global search: Search across all collections
  • Collection filter: Search within specific collections
  • Tag filter: Filter by tags you've used
  • Date range: Filter by when you saved it

Links aren't loading properly

This could be due to:

  • Temporary server issues
  • Outdated links
  • Network connectivity problems
  • Browser cache issues

Try refreshing or contact support if problems persist.

I'm not receiving email notifications

Check these settings:

  1. Verify your email address
  2. Check spam/junk folders
  3. Review notification preferences
  4. Ensure emails aren't blocked
  5. Contact support if needed

Analytics and Insights

What analytics do I get for my collections?

Your collections dashboard provides:

  • Total Collections: Number of collections created
  • Total Links: Links saved across all collections
  • Total Clicks: How often your links are accessed
  • Total Votes: Community engagement on public links
  • Top Collections: Most popular collections by activity
  • Top Links: Most clicked individual links
  • Time-based Filters: View stats by day, week, month, or year

How does the voting system work?

For public collections, visitors can:

  • Upvote or downvote individual links
  • Vote on the overall collection quality
  • Leave comments and feedback
  • Rate the usefulness of content

Votes help surface the best content and improve discovery.

What is demo data and should I use it?

Demo data is sample collections and links that help you:

  • Explore features without starting from scratch
  • See how analytics work with real data
  • Test different organization methods
  • Learn best practices through examples

You can enable/disable demo data from your statistics dashboard. It's clearly marked and can be removed anytime.

Can I export analytics data?

Yes! Export options include:

  • CSV Reports: Spreadsheet-compatible analytics
  • API Access: Programmatic data retrieval
  • Dashboard Screenshots: Visual reports
  • Custom Date Ranges: Specific time period analysis

Advanced Features

Can I automate link saving?

Current automation options:

  • API integration: Use our REST API for custom automation scripts
  • Bulk Import: Regular file imports (CSV, JSON, bookmarks)
  • Browser Extension: Quick saving while browsing

Coming Soon:

  • RSS feed monitoring: Auto-save from feeds
  • Zapier workflows: Connect with other tools
  • Email forwarding: Save links via email
  • Webhook Triggers: React to external events

How do I bulk manage links?

Bulk operations include:

  • Select Multiple Links: Checkbox selection for batch actions
  • Bulk Tagging: Add tags to multiple links at once
  • Bulk Moving: Transfer links between collections
  • Bulk Deletion: Remove multiple links simultaneously
  • Bulk Validation: Check multiple links for accessibility
  • Bulk Export: Download selected links in various formats

What are collection templates?

Coming Soon: Templates will be pre-configured collections for specific use cases such as:

  • Resource Lists: Curated learning materials
  • Project References: Development tools and docs
  • Industry News: Relevant publications and blogs
  • Tool Collections: Software and service recommendations

For now, you can create collections manually and duplicate them as needed.

How do I customize collection appearance?

For public collections, you can:

  • Choose from preset themes
  • Customize colors and fonts
  • Upload custom logos
  • Adjust layout options
  • Use custom CSS (premium)
  • Configure social sharing previews
  • Add custom headers and footers

Can I integrate with other tools?

Current integrations:

  • API Access: Full programmatic control via REST API
  • Webhook support: Custom integrations for developers

Coming Soon:

  • Slack: Team notifications and link sharing
  • Microsoft Teams: Collaboration alerts
  • Zapier: Workflow automation
  • Discord: Community link sharing

Getting Help

How do I contact support?

Multiple ways to get help:

  • Help widget: In-app chat support
  • Email: support@example.com
  • Community forum: User discussions
  • Documentation: Comprehensive guides

What information should I include in support requests?

Please include:

  • Your account email
  • Description of the issue
  • Steps you've tried
  • Browser and version
  • Screenshots if relevant

How quickly do you respond to support requests?

We aim to respond to all support requests within 24-48 hours. Critical issues affecting service availability are prioritized for faster response.

Is there live chat support?

Coming Soon: Live chat support will be available for premium plan subscribers.

Currently, you can reach us via:

  • Email support through our contact form
  • Community discussions in our documentation

Still Have Questions?

Can't find the answer you're looking for?

  • Search our documentation for detailed guides
  • Contact our support team for personalized help
  • Join our community forum for user discussions
  • Schedule a demo for teams considering enterprise features

We're here to help you succeed with your link organization and team collaboration!

  1. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. Getting Started
    2. Collections and Organization
    3. Privacy and Sharing
    4. Team Features
    5. Technical Questions
    6. Account Management
    7. Billing and Subscriptions
    8. Mobile and Browser Extension
    9. Troubleshooting
    10. Analytics and Insights
    11. Advanced Features
    12. Getting Help
    13. Still Have Questions?