Impact of Information Architecture on Content

Digitization and SEO

ASIDIC Spring 2007 MeetingS. Gurke

SVP, Knovel Corp.

Topics

• Transforming e-book collection into reference database

• Why transform?

• Impact on content digitization

• Impact on search engine optimization (SEO)

• Impact on pricing and revenue

Transforming E-Book Collection into Reference Database

• Collection– Formatted content is outside database– Book presentation – Search full text and metadata indexes

• Database (XML)– Unformatted content is inside database– Database presentation (chunks)– Search tagged content chunks with metadata

Why Transform?

• Better reflect use patterns

• Streamline search and improve relevancy ranking

• Increase usage

Content Digitization Now

• Content– Text (PDF, HTML)– Metadata (TOC, etc.) – Interactive tables, graphs, equations

• Process (outsourced)– Scanning/OCRing– Keying– Special techniques (e.g., graph calibration)

• Tools– CMS– SQL database

Challenges

• Conversion from relational to XML database– Metadata– Interactive content – Text

• Chunking and tagging text– Who does it?– TOC and Subject Index as chunk metadata

Impact on SEO

• Exposing secure content

• Making metadata work– Title and author– TOC and Subject Index

• Benefits for users– Finding information made easier– Comprehensive search– Improved relevancy

Impact on Pricing and Revenue

• Pricing models– Subscription– Usage based

• Transaction• By the drink

– Hybrid/Enterprise

• Ad-based STM revenue

• Usage based royalties