Metadata is data about data. It’s what we use – often without realising – to decide if something is a good fit for us.

Informative metadata can either reassure us that what we’re about to watch, buy or use is exactly what we’re looking for or it can set off our spidey senses and make us think twice.

Metadata doesn’t have to be lengthy to have a big impact. Here are five examples of how metadata can change your thinking:

Online dating

Profile summary: ‘Kevin, 27, London’s most eligible bachelor’

Author: Kevin’s Mum

Doing up your lounge

Product description: ‘Cosy indoor rug, only £10’

Dimensions: 20cm x 20cm

Finding something for your kids to watch on TV

Title: ‘Child’s Play’

Genre: horror

Choosing a restaurant for a first date

Name: ‘The Chicken Shack’

Food hygiene rating: 1*

Cramming for exams

Title: ‘GCSE Revision Guide’

Published: September 2003

When it comes to using data, the devil’s in the detail. Unfortunately, stretched GIS teams don’t have the resources available to generate comprehensive metadata by hand. 

Luckily, our automated tool takes the hard work out of producing user-friendly metadata. 

If you’d like to find out more about metadata, drop us a line at sales@astuntechnology.com or have a look at our four-step Data Discoverability programme.