Although Cloud Storage provides blob storage, it also offers multiple toolsthat allow you to access and manage objects in buckets by using a directorystructure. This page provides an overview of those tools.

Overview

Cloud Storage buckets store objects in aflat namespace but there aremultiple tools you can use to interact with your stored data in a directorystructure, similar to file systems. These tools provide the followingcapabilities:

• Structuring your data: Group related objects into folders,making it easier to navigate and manage your data.

• Controlling access to object groups: Set up granular accesscontrol for your objects, enabling you to specify who can view, edit, ordelete specific sets of data within a bucket.

Simulated folders

Simulated folders in Cloud Storage are a way to create a visualhierarchy and organize objects within a bucket without actually creating folderstructures. Using the Google Cloud console and Google Cloud CLI, you can simulatefolders that mimic the file tree to help you organize data in your bucket.Simulated folders are implemented by using prefixes or delimiters, separated bya forward slash/ within object names.

Folders in buckets with hierarchical namespace enabled

In buckets withhierarchical namespace enabled, you can create actualfolders that contain objects or other folders. You can also perform operationslike renaming folders and listing folders. The hierarchical structure and foldermanagement operations improve performance, consistency, and management forfile-oriented and data-intensive workloads.

For more information about folders, seeAbout folders in buckets with hierarchical namespace enabled.

Managed folders

Managed folders enable you to apply granular access controls to yourobjects, enhancing security and control over your data. You can use managedfolders in buckets with or without hierarchical namespace enabled. Unlikesimulated folders which use prefixes, managed folders are actualresources within the bucket, enabling you to apply Identity and Access Management (IAM)policies to groups of objects.

To get started using managed folders, seeCreate managed folders.

What's next

• Learn aboutsimulated folders.
• Learn aboutenabling hierarchical namespace for your bucket.
• Learn aboutmanaged folders.