Information Architecture
Metadata
Definition
Metadata is glossaryDataData is raw information collected and stored for analysis, processing, or decision-making.Open glossary term that describes and provides information about other content, such as titles, descriptions, tags, and attributes. It supports organisation, glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term, and content management.
In practice
Used to structure content in glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term, enabling glossaryFilteringFiltering is the process of narrowing down a set of results by applying specific criteria such as attributes, categories, or ranges.Open glossary term, sorting, and improved glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term functionality.
The reality
Good metadata is invisible but essential - without it, glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term quickly become hard to manage and navigate.
Plain English
Information about content that helps organise and find it.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is metadata?
Metadata is glossaryDataData is raw information collected and stored for analysis, processing, or decision-making.Open glossary term that describes other content.
Why is metadata important?
It helps organise, manage, and retrieve content.
Where is metadata used?
In content management glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term, glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term, and databases.
What are examples of metadata?
Titles, tags, descriptions, and categories.
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