Information Architecture
Indexing
Plain English
Organising content so it can be searched and found quickly.
Definition
Indexing is the glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term of organising and storing content in a way that makes it searchable and retrievable. It enables glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term to quickly locate relevant information based on queries.
In practice
Used in 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 glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term and databases to structure content for fast and accurate retrieval.
In context
It explains the complaint that something is on the site but does not come up in 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. The content exists; the index does not know about it yet, or has stored it badly.
The reality
If content isn’t indexed properly, it effectively doesn’t exist - even if it’s there.
Compared with
Indexing vs Search Relevance
Indexing determines what can be found at all. Relevance determines what comes first. Fixing relevance while content is missing from the index solves the wrong half of the problem.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is indexing?
Indexing is organising content so it can be searched efficiently.
Why is indexing important?
It enables fast and accurate 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 results.
Where is indexing used?
In 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 engines, databases, and content glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term.
What happens without indexing?
Content becomes difficult or impossible to find.
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