Everything You Thought You Knew About Metadata…
Included in both lists is something you may not think of as metadata: the cover. Nielsen's metadata study, "The Link Between Metadata and Sales," released in early 2012, proved that the cover is in fact the most important metadata element. Sales for titles with all 11 elements, including the cover, were 473 percent higher than for titles missing the cover. No other metadata element comes close for sales impact. Covers still sell books.
Thad McIlroy is an electronic publishing consultant, analyst and author, and principal of The Future of Publishing. Since 1988, Thad McIlroy has provided consulting services to publishing and media companies, printers, prepress shops, design and advertising agencies, as well as vendors serving the publishing industry.