[sv9]

I can't find the blog post, but I read one once that said, basically: you don't need labels or folders. You need your inbox, the archive, and trash. Once you've tended to an email, either archive it (and just use your search function later), or delete it.

I've tried unsuccessfully to maintain folder/label systems over the years, and I always end up having to search my emails anyway. So why bother with trying to make a consistent folder/label structure? I'm much more likely to remember some key words from an invoice than remember which labels I would've applied.

[stonogo]

Folders aren't for filing emails after you've read them. Used well, they're for filing incoming messages automatically. I have a heavily email-driven workflow, and I am active on dozens of mailing lists. My email servers filter incoming messages and deliver them directly into folders based on which list they're coming into. Another filter has a list of commerce-associated domains that get filed into folders based on which accounts they're associated with. As a result, the only mail that hits my inbox proper is mail from friends and family (plus the occasional not-filtered-yet work/list mail). Everything else lands in folders, and I prioritize opening those folders and dealing with those messages.

As you mentioned, once a message is 'consumed,' it just gets archived. But the folder system (combined with sieve filters) is what makes dealing with a ton of incoming email extremely pleasant.

[sseagull]

Folder structure (whether email or filesystem) give context. In the same folder may be related emails from other people or with different subjects. Search works for finding a specific email, and folders help finding related emails once you have the first one.

In addition, folders have better discoverability, whereas I find search to be finicky (looking for exact words when I only remember a synonym)

I have a similar problem with google drive. Oftentimes I will find a file that I was looking for, but I know there are related files in the same folder (maybe a spreadsheet used to generate the other document). But I can't get to the folder from the file (as far as I know). If I don't remember some keywords from the other file, I may be SOL.