Keyword tag editing after big upgrade to 2020

60,000 should be fine. Especially if the internal drive is a fast SSD. In any case the catalog file is usually quite small compared with the requirements for storing image files which can be stored on a connected external hard drive.

Regarding your earlier point on tags, I only use the alphabetical list of tags in the right-hand panel with the standard blue tag icon, keeping the default setting in prefs. I don’t find it productive to set a fixed picture icon for each keyword and it doesn’t work for places based on the map. While these fixed icons were practical in earlier versions prior to PSE11 they are so small to view in current versions, I prefer to use Ctrl+F with the criteria buttons.

"A separate question therefore (perhaps I should post it as such):- do you have a view on maximum practical/sensible size of a catalog? I had considered splitting it (into "old" and "new") to make it easier for my computer to handle, but am wary as I  understand there is no easy way to recombine them, if I subsequently changed my mind. And others have only recommended it if there is a clear need, such as work vs. personal. Adobe info implies there is no limit to number catalog images. But from your experience, do you have a view on whether there is a practical maximum, and any tips on catalog splitting, if it ever became necessary?"

Howard,

The current forum tool makes it difficult to follow 'nested' answers, so when in doubt, it's better to start a new thread.

You'll find many discussions about splitting the catalog or not. The most important answer is that you can't expect better performance by splitting, and anyway, splitting is really very difficult with Elements. 

Many users have libraries of 100 000 and more items (like me, if I take into account version sets, raws, xmp and xml files). With the current version, it's much more important to activate or not face recognition and auto creations. 

Just an example, I don't use the above features, but the last PSE2020 update did reset my preferences, and I found myself with tens of thousands json files in my catalog. I noticed it because I routinely copy my catalog folder; this made the copy much slower. I had to disable that preference to get the copy done in just a couple of minutes.

The system works differently in the recent versions. The small box to the left of the tag name is for the binocular icon to show that search is active. It is not a place holder for a picture icon.

If you use the “Find” function (Ctrl+F) or click the magnifying search icon top right you can use the left hand criteria buttons to find photos – see image for keywords. The thumbnail replaces the fixed tag icon. It’s usually the first image in the search results e.g. newest or oldest based on your settings.

P.S. Your pref settings should show the previous icons in addition to the active (binocular box) in the regular list of tags on the right. If you right-click on a tag name (highlight in blue) you can choose edit and import a new fixed tag icon.

In PSE11, Adobe introduced three new tag categories beside the normal media tags you were accustomed to.

People, Places and events. That was to integrate better face recognition and geotagging.

The ability to show image icons is kept in the media panel, not in the new panels.

For many reasons I decided to ignore the new panels. To prevent the catalog conversion to migrate the people and places tags to the new panels, I renamed the three old categories (people, maps, events). That way those tags were kept as before and not migrated. You can rename your three categories and convert again. So, you can work as before or prefer to go on with the new categories (... without image icons).