Q: What is the difference between Topics and Directories? When should I use which one? 

 

Directories and Topics are both ways of organizing your content in the app. They are like filing cabinets (directories) and folders(topics/listings). Or, you can think of them in terms of a "tree" structure. Which one you use will depend on how you would like to organize your content.


DIRECTORIES have LISTINGS in them. 

LISTINGS have content types in them.

A directory can have as many listings as you like in it. Each listing can have it's own set of content and content types in it.


TOPICS have content types in them.

Topics are more "Flat" in structure. You can have as many topics as you like-- the list can get very long over time. If you have multiple topics that are related or you want to unify  them under 1 bigger, overarching topic, then directories is better way to organize.


Here's an example. Let's say I have a zoo and I'm making an app to showcase the exhibits in it.


If I used TOPICS, the app might look like this:

  • Topic 1: Lions

    • a gallery of pictures of lions

    • videos about lions

    • articles about lions

  • Topic 2: Tigers

    • a gallery of pictures of tigers

    • videos about tigers

    • Q&A about tigers

  • Topic 3:Parrots

    • a gallery of pictures of parrots

    • videos about parrots

    • Journals about parrots

  • Topic 4: Peacocks

    • a gallery of pictures of peacocks

    • articles about peacocks

    • Q&A about parrots

  • Topic 5: Lizards

    • Q&A on lizards

    • Lizard videos

    • Lessons about lizards

  • Topic 6: Snakes

    • a gallery of pictures of snakes

    • articles about snakes

    • Q&A about snakes


If I used DIRECTORIES, my app might look like this:

  • DIRECTORY 1: Big Cats
    • Listing 1: Lions

      • a gallery of pictures of lions

      • videos about lions

      • articles about lions

    • Listing 2: Tigers

      • a gallery of pictures of tigers

      • videos about tigers

      • Q&A about tigers

  • DIRECTORY 2: Birds

    • Listing 1: Parrots

      • a gallery of pictures of parrots

      • videos about parrots

      • Journals about parrots

    • Listing 2: Peacocks

      • a gallery of pictures of peacocks

      • articles about peacocks

      • Q&A about parrots

  • DIRECTORY 3: Reptiles

    • Listing 1: Lizards

      • Q&A on lizards

      • Lizard videos

      • Lessons about lizards

    • Listing 2: Snakes

      • a gallery of pictures of snakes

      • articles about snakes

      • Q&A about snakes



In Directories, here are your custom naming options: 

1. Name of the Directory (Can be named) 

2. Name of the Listing under the Directory (Can be named) 

3. Name of the Sub-topic (cannot be re-named) added to the Listing 

4. Name of the piece of content that lives under the Sub-topic (Ex. the name of your Article) 

 

In Topics these are your custom naming options:

1. Name of the Topic (Can be named)

2. Name of the Sub-topic (cannot be re-named) added to the Topic

3. Name of the piece of content that lives under the Sub-topic (Ex. the name of your Article)

 

There is no way to add more naming functions and options than this. Topics has less naming options than Directories. You also can't put a directory inside a directory for more capability. When deciding whether to put your content under Topics or Directories, keep this information in mind.