Content Labels

Based on the Semantic method RDF, Content Labels are files that contain powerful metadata that enable search engines and browsers to provide more trust in search results.

screen shot of annotated search results.jpg

RDF is already recognised by technologies such as RSS and social bookmarks, open source projects such as Creative Commons and browsers such as Mozilla Firefox.

The statement below if from Mozilla.

The Resource Description Framework, or RDF, is a W3C technology that we’re using in Mozilla to integrate and aggregate Internet resources.

Mozilla RDF was originally used to support the Aurora/Sidebar user interface and SmartBrowsing metadata services. It’s main use in Mozilla now is as a common data model and API for use in XUL-based applications.

Why Content Labels are useful

Visual badges provided by organisations such as Segala, VeriSign, GeoTrust and TRUSTe have limitied benefit. This is mainly because you only know when a Web site has a visual trustmark when you’ve already landed on it. Content Labels on the other hand are detectable by search engines and browsers which means users can find out which sites have Trustmarks without having to visit them. Furthermore, users can filter out anything that doesn’t contain a Content Label.

Content Labels act in a similar fashion to SSL Certificates. However, SSL Certificates are restricted to making claims about an entire Web site and they’re only used for security and identification purposes. Content Labels can be used to make assertions about an entire domain, or specific URIs. Furthermore, they can be used to make conformance claims about any standard or code of conduct.

Below are just a few use cases where Content Labels can enable a more reliable and relevant search results.

W3C Web accessibility standards
W3C mobileOK
Child Safety
Identity (anit-Phishing)
Privacy code of conduct
E-commerce code of conduct
Blogs code of conduct

This allows end users to specify “only show me Web sites that claim conformance to accessibility standards”.

Turning Content Labels into a standard

Segala was instrumental in the creation of the W3C’s first ever incubator activity to help create Content Labelling standards for the Web. We helped to create the original charter and we are co-author of the final report with ICRA.

Content Labels are now officially going through a full recommendation track within the W3C. They will be proposed as a replacement for PICS. PICS is the outdated W3C recommendation that is still in use by Internet Explorer today for filtering content using Site Advisor.

mobileOK

W3C Mobile Web Initiative Logo

Web site owners who wish to make assertions about conformance to the W3C Mobile Web Initiative (MWI) Best Pracitces (mobileOK) will do so in the form of a Content Label. It won’t be possible for a Web site to be mobileOK unless it is proactive in making such a claim.

www.adult.xxx

There is a new top level domain name called XXX which is expected to be given the green light by ICANN soon. Every Web site which registers a triple-x domain will be mandated to use a Content Label to describe their content. This will help ensure minors aren’t subjected to inappropriate content.