diff --git a/docs/user-guide/resource_tracking.md b/docs/user-guide/resource_tracking.md
index e62a7c094f4e2..308ef9bcf2d9e 100644
--- a/docs/user-guide/resource_tracking.md
+++ b/docs/user-guide/resource_tracking.md
@@ -42,6 +42,16 @@ data:
 
 ## Additional tracking methods via an annotation
 
+>v3.0
+
+The default resource tracking method has been changed to `annotation` after v3.0. Please see the rationale and discussions in [this issue](https://github.com/argoproj/argo-cd/issues/13981).
+Note that this is a major change and can be intrusive if you have autosync enabled for many applications. If you'd like to reduce the impact, please see the following suggested steps for upgrading:
+
+1. Disable autosync on your applications
+1. Upgrade ArgoCD
+1. Manually sync applications in batches
+1. Re-enable autosync
+
 >v2.2
 
 To offer more flexible options for tracking resources and solve some of the issues outlined in the previous section Argo CD can be instructed to use the following methods for tracking:
diff --git a/util/argo/resource_tracking.go b/util/argo/resource_tracking.go
index f6b98683e9e91..894b7bcf270aa 100644
--- a/util/argo/resource_tracking.go
+++ b/util/argo/resource_tracking.go
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func NewResourceTracking() ResourceTracking {
 func GetTrackingMethod(settingsMgr *settings.SettingsManager) v1alpha1.TrackingMethod {
 	tm, err := settingsMgr.GetTrackingMethod()
 	if err != nil || tm == "" {
-		return TrackingMethodLabel
+		return TrackingMethodAnnotation
 	}
 	return v1alpha1.TrackingMethod(tm)
 }