Organizing by media type means grouping your digital files based on their fundamental format, like images (photos, graphics), audio (music, recordings), or video (clips, movies). This approach focuses primarily on the technical nature and playback requirements of files, rather than their content themes, project association, or date. For instance, a video file requires specific software to play or edit, while an image file might be used differently in workflows. It contrasts with organizing by subject (e.g., 'vacation') or date.

This method is essential in any scenario dealing with numerous digital assets. Media professionals (photographers, videographers, musicians) store all JPEGs/RAW files or MP3s/WAVs in designated folders, separate from project files. Within digital asset management systems (DAMs) or cloud storage platforms (like Google Drive, Dropbox), users typically start with broad folder structures like /Images, /Audio, /Video to house files before applying further categorization. Basic operating system folders also often start separating media types by default.

Organizing by type streamlines workflows, as relevant applications and software naturally group by format, improving efficiency when searching or handling bulk actions. Its primary limitation is the lack of context; finding specific content within a massive 'Video' folder can be difficult without adding subfolders by project, event, or date. While effective for initial sorting, combining type-based organization with descriptive filenames and meaningful subfolders provides the most practical and efficient structure for managing large media collections.