We’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about Google Collections, with a focus on saving images. We’ll cover how to create and manage a collection, and suggest some creative ways to use them for your next project.
How to Access Google Collections
You can access Google Collections on your computer, smartphone, and tablet. It’s free to use; all you need is a Google account and your collections will sync across all your devices.
Desktop: Go to google. com/collections. To access this page without the link, go to the Google homepage, click the 3x3 grid icon in the top-right, and select Collections. Mobile/tablet: Open the Google app and select Collections from the bottom menu.
How to Create Google Collections
By default, any image you save on Google will go to a Favorite images collection. Depending on how you plan to use Google Collections, this might be enough. But to aid with organization, it’s better to create other collections. Think of them like folders on your computer; you store images in different folders based around theme or subject to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
To create a new collection, go to the Collections page. Select New collection (desktop) or New (mobile/tablet). Give your collection a name—something memorable to describe what you’re going to store in it. When ready, select OK (desktop) or Create (mobile/tablet). There’s no limit either on the number of collections or the number of images within.
How to Save to a Google Collection
To add something to a Google Collection, first perform your Google Image search as normal. When you find an image that you want to save, select it. Next, select the three vertical dots, then select Add to. This is represented by a bookmark icon—if you see this elsewhere in the Google interface, like on a web page or map location, it will also save that item to your collection.
The image saves to the collection you last used; a box pops up at the bottom of the screen to confirm this. If you wish to save to a different collection, select Change and choose the collection.
If you accidentally saved an image or have changed your mind, select the three vertical dots again and select Added.
How to Manage and Delete Google Collections
To edit your collections and the images within them, first head to the Google Collections section, then select the collection you want to manage.
Rename a Collection
Desktop: Click the three horizontal dots and select Rename collection. Input the new name and click OK. Mobile/tablet: Select the three vertical dots and select Edit. Input the new name and select Done.
Move Images to a Different Collection
Desktop: Click Select, then click the images you wish to manage. Click Move to and either select an existing collection or click New Collection. Mobile/tablet: Select the three vertical dots and choose Select. Tap the images you wish to manage. Select the folder and right arrow icon and either select an existing collection or tap New collection.
Remove Images From a Collection
Desktop: Click Select, then click the images you wish to manage. Click Delete, then Delete again to confirm. Mobile/tablet: Select the three vertical dots and choose Select. Tap the images you wish to manage. Select the trash can icon and tap Delete.
Delete a Collection
Desktop: Click the three horizontal dots. Click Delete, then Delete again to confirm. Mobile/tablet: Select the three vertical dots. Select Delete, then Delete again to confirm.
How to Share Google Collections
By default, all your collections are private and only visible to you. However, you can share a collection so that anyone with the link can view it, as long as they’re signed in to a Google account. You can also create a collaborative collection, but weirdly you can only generate this through the Google app—though if someone accesses the collaborative link on desktop, it’ll work.
Desktop: Click the three horizontal dots and select Sharing. Switch to Shared and click Done. Then, click the share icon (it looks like three connected dots). Here you can copy the link or send it directly via email. Mobile/tablet: Select the three vertical dots and choose Sharing. Slide Sharing on. Decide whether you want the View only link or the Contributor link and select Share.
If you disable sharing on your collection and put it back to private, it immediately removes access for everyone except you.
Creative Ways to Use Google Collections
There are lots of different creative ways that you can use Google Collections. While we’ve mainly focused on Google Images here, you can add content from Google News, Google Shopping, Google Maps, and other services. Here are some ideas for your collections:
If you’re planning a vacation or trip, build an itinerary and save Google Map locations of locations and landmarks that you’d like to visit. Save stock images from Google Images with a Creative Commons license, for you to reuse in your work, blog, and so on. Can’t decide which gadget to buy? Want to make a wish list for your birthday? Browse Google Shopping and save products to a collection. If you want a new job, build a collection of current job adverts from Google Jobs to remind yourself of those you want to apply for. If you’re trying to learn a new language, save reference pictures from Google Images to build a visual vocabulary.
Google Home Integrates With Google Collections
Google Collections is a fairly simple feature, but it’s incredibly useful. Once you’ve started saving content to your collections, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.
If you own one of Google’s smart speakers with Assistant integration, you can use this to save things to your collections. For example, if Google Home is walking you through a recipe, say, “Hey Google, add this recipe to my cookbook.” You’ll then be able to find that recipe later within your collections.
