keywording
Assigning search terms
Keywording is the practice of assigning descriptive terms to content—images, documents, videos—to make it searchable.
Photographers and stock agencies keyword their images so buyers can find them: She spent hours keywording her portfolio.
In digital marketing, keywording means selecting terms for search engine optimization.
The process requires anticipating what searchers will type.
Systematic grouping by traits
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- labelingAssigning identifying markers
- groupingArrangement by shared traits
sorting · organization · hierarchy · systematization · typology · segmentation · binning · codification
Identifiers for sorting items
- descriptorsWords that modify nouns
- attributesInherent characteristics or properties
- annotationAdded explanatory comment
- schemaOrganized representational structure
EXIF · alt text · caption · structured data · microdata
Digital file management system
- lightboxBacklit translucent display surface
- portfolioCollected works or assets
- archiveStored historical records
- collectionGathered set of items
searchability · licensing · watermark · thumbnail · batch processing · asset management · media library · Shutterstock
Act of seeking
- retrievalAct of getting back
- cross-referenceNotation pointing elsewhere
- abstractingCondensing to essentials
- concordanceAlphabetical word index
subject index · full-text search · locators · subheadings · alphabetization · page numbers · index cards
Methods to rank higher organically
- rankingOrdered position assignment
- visibilityRange of clear sight
- discoverabilityEase of being located
- trafficMovement along routes
volume · competition · SERP · organic search · PPC · AdWords
classification
Systematic grouping by traits
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- labelingAssigning identifying markers
grouping · sorting · organization · hierarchy · systematization · typology · segmentation · binning · codification · designation
tags
Identifiers for sorting items
- descriptorsWords that modify nouns
- attributesInherent characteristics or properties
- annotationAdded explanatory comment
schema · EXIF · alt text · caption · structured data · microdata
DAM
Digital file management system
- lightboxBacklit translucent display surface
- portfolioCollected works or assets
- archiveStored historical records
collection · searchability · licensing · watermark · thumbnail · batch processing · asset management · media library · Shutterstock · Getty
search
Act of seeking
- retrievalAct of getting back
- cross-referenceNotation pointing elsewhere
- abstractingCondensing to essentials
concordance · subject index · full-text search · locators · subheadings · alphabetization · page numbers · index cards
search engine optimization
Methods to rank higher organically
- rankingOrdered position assignment
- visibilityRange of clear sight
- discoverabilityEase of being located
traffic · volume · competition · SERP · organic search · PPC · AdWords