What gets lost without metadata
Metadata simply means information about a file. When you save a video on its own, the caption, hashtags, posting date and comments stay behind on the platform.
Years later you may have a folder of clips with no idea which one went viral, which was sponsored or what you promised in the caption. That context is often what makes an archive valuable.
A simple note for every video
Next to each video file, keep a short text file with the same name, for example 2026-10-14-desk-tour.txt. Paste in the caption, hashtags, posting date and time, link and sound name.
If you prefer one place, keep the same details in a content log spreadsheet instead, with the file name in its own column so you can match rows to files.
Which stats are worth keeping
Record a handful of numbers at a fixed point, such as seven or thirty days after posting: views, likes, comments, shares, saves and new followers. Write down the date you took them.
Take a screenshot of the analytics screen for your most important videos too. Screenshots capture details you might not think to type, and they are quick to make.
Keep it together and backed up
Store the note and screenshots in the same folder as the video so they travel together when you copy or back up your archive.
Once a month, check that new videos have their notes. Filling them in the same week is easy; trying to remember captions and numbers a year later is close to impossible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need special software to store metadata?
No. A plain text file or a spreadsheet row is enough, and both can be opened on almost any device for many years.
Should I save comments too?
Saving a few screenshots of meaningful comments is a nice record. Avoid sharing other people's comments publicly without thinking about their privacy.