What is the best practice for setting insert options in Sitecore?

Setting insert options on the Template Standard Values item is recognized as the best practice in Sitecore because it ensures consistency and compliance with the intended use of that template throughout the content management system. When insert options are defined here, they become the default settings for all items created from that template. This not only streamlines the content authoring process by dictating what child items can be inserted within a parent item but also maintains a coherent structure across various items based on the same template.

By using the Template Standard Values for insert options, content authors are better guided in building the content in a logical manner, which can lead to improved usability and organization. Additionally, if the insert options need to be changed later, modifying them in the Template’s Standard Values automatically propagates this change to all instances where that template is used, thus saving time and avoiding potential discrepancies.

Setting insert options at the site level, in user profiles, or within media settings does not provide the same level of control and specificity as setting them in the Template Standard Values. These alternative locations often have broader implications or may not apply consistently across different items, making the management of insert options less effective.