Another option if you do not want the tabs to show you can pinch the back top of the curtain with your fingers and clip the curtain ring on it. I did this in my last house for no sew faux pleat curtains. The trick is to make sure you clip on the ring low enough it just covers the rod.

I guess I have less understanding than I thought--- I am really asking if the rings can be used if the curtains do not mention back tabs. Just for example- these curtains that I am linking- do not have a back tab mentioned in the description (others do) -- would they not be a good option for what I want to do?one example

If you want to use rings on those (very pretty) instead of shirring them on a rod as shown, you can. You do not have to have back tabs to use rings. Those curtains you showed don't have back tabs, so you'd just clip the rings either to the top, or to the back, as described by Iowa above. Reading this post from Young House Love may help you picture what Iowa mentioned - HERE

Back tabs are not meant to be used with rings. They're meant to be shirred on a rod and give a ripplefold look. Rodpockets (the pic you linked to) aren't meant to be used with rings either. You'll have two stitching lines at the top showing. You CAN use them with rings, but if you're looking for neat and attractive, you're not going to get it. Since you're planning on opening and closing often, they'll always be messy looking (not to mention the stitch lines) because there's no structure to the heading, and if you use clip on rings, they'll also be pulling off, when you grab and pull. They're best with stationary panels.

You really need some sort of pleated curtains with rings that hang with drapery pins.

If you sew at all - and this is extremely simple straight stitching, you can use this product on the back of the heading to add a spot for the rings to clip on to : Clip ring tape

This is a whole article about how to hang curtains using existing vertical blind hardware. Maybe this method would work for you and save you a bit of money plus the curtains would open and close easily.
Replace Vertical Blinds

Interesting- thank you for all the explanations. Still not sure I am totally understand the nuances but I guess I am hearing it suggested that putting the rings/ clips on the example curtains I shared probably won't be stellar. I dont intend to open close the curtains often but definitely want the option to do so and not spend time regrouping each time. I guess perhaps grommets are the way to go.

And Fun, that is an interesting idea, I was so hoping the look would be better but it just didn't grab me for my house.

Appreciate all the comments and examples..

Just playing around ((still)). File this in the interesting facts found while procrastinating.

The first link I posted (which I do actually like a lot ; just not sure if it's what I want and also the fact that it's not meant to slide...) was from wayfair and is $41.99. then I searched and overstock is $62overstock.... . It's a lesson in reading comprehension because some say it is a pair of panels and some say single panel although they list pair. Another interesting one- is thiselrene medina at macys 26.79 and then

same elrene medina for 59.99. What's a person to do? instead of figuring out what I want, I am not in the game of comparison shopping.

Procrastinators - can you relate?