Content Information Architecture, Taxonomy, and Metadata

Efficient content organization and relevant information discovery forms one of the most critical success factors for most content programs. Content organization and information discovery are also crucial elements of content strategy exercise. Information architecture, taxonomy, and metadata are disciplines that aid us in this aspect. This chapter looks at various concepts of information architecture, metadata, and taxonomy and examines how they aid the content strategy. It begins by looking at goals and elements of information architecture (IA) and understands its best practices and role of IA in content strategy. The chapter discusses taxonomy and metadata concepts, including their advantages, business drivers, and best practices. It focuses on metadata standards, metadata utilities, and taxonomy governance. The chapter concludes with a case study for understanding the utility of metadata in search process and various other utilities of metadata.