Metadata

Metadata is data that describes other data, providing context, properties, and structural information about it. Metadata helps users understand, manage, and utilize data more efficiently. It can include, for example, a file’s creation date, author, type, size, and descriptive attributes that assist in organizing and retrieving information. Metadata plays a crucial role in information systems management, search engine optimization, digital archiving, and other applications where data findability and clarity are essential.

Good metadata management enhances data quality and consistency. In library systems, for instance, metadata supports classification and search by topic, author, or publication year. On websites, metadata such as titles and descriptions help search engines index pages correctly and improve visibility in search results. Metadata also supports data security by enabling access control and proper data protection.

See also: Metaverse