Instagram Learns about Uncontrolled Indexing
December 23, 2019
Everyone is an expert on search. Everyone can assign index terms, often called metatags or hashtags. The fun world of indexing at this time usually means anyone can make up a “tag” and assign it. This is uncontrolled indexing. The popularity of the method is a result of two things: A desire to save money. Skilled indexers want to develop controlled vocabularies and guidelines for the use of those terms. These activities are expensive, and in MBA land who cares? A second reason is that without an editorial policy and editorial controls, MBAs and engineers can say, “Hey, Boomer, we just provide a platform. Not our problem.”
Not surprisingly even some millennials are figuring out that old school indexing has some value, despite the burden of responsibility. Responsible behavior builds a few ethical muscles.
“How Anti-Vaxxers Get around Instagram’s New Hashtag Controls” reveals some of the flaws of uncontrolled indexing and the shallowness of the solutions crafted by some thumb typing content professionals. This passage explains the not too tough method in use by some individuals:
But anti-vaccine Instagram users have been getting around the controls by employing more than 40 cryptic hashtags such as #learntherisk and #justasking.
There you go. Make up a new indexing term and share it with your follow travelers. Why not use wonky spelling or an odd ball character?
The write up exposes the limitations of rules based term filtering and makes clear that artificial intelligence is not showing up for required office hours.
Should I review the benefits of controlled term indexing? Yes.
Will I? No.
Why? Today no one cares.
Who needs old fashioned methods? No one who wants his or her bonus.
Stephen E Arnold, December 23, 2019
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