A method in a data processing system and apparatus for organizing files, web pages, or web site members organized in a traditional first hierarchical file structure that is on a recordable medium of a data processing system. A user-defined metalabel is assigned to each of the electronic files, web pages, or web site members. The electronic files, web pages, or web site members are organized as a function of the metalabels into a second hierarchical file structure existing simultaneously with the first hierarchical file structure on the recordable medium of the data processing system. The files, web pages, or web site members can be organized or grouped by the metalabels for efficient searching or following conversations of group members on social networking sites.