Metadata Meaning

Mar 15, 2023 | Updated Jul 18, 2023

Metadata is a basic summary about a larger set of data. Metadata helps users understand the nature and context of a larger set of data.

What Is Metadata?

Metadata is essentially a data that describes another data. Think of it as the synopsis of a book. Just like the book synopsis gives a brief overview of the story and what to expect, metadata provides information about a particular piece of data.

For example, if you take a photograph with a digital camera, the metadata associated with that photograph might include information about the camera used, the date and time the photo was taken, the location where the photo was taken, and other details. This can be helpful in organizing and searching for specific files, and can also provide context and additional information about the file itself.

There are many different types of metadata – let’s look at how it would appear for an NFT.

Say you have an NFT that represents digital artwork. The metadata for this NFT might include:

Title: “Mystical Forest”
Artist: John Doe
Description: A beautiful digital painting of a mystical forest, with vibrant colors and intricate details.
Date created: March 15, 2023
Dimensions: 5000 x 5000 pixels
File format: JPEG
Edition: 1 of 1 (meaning this is the only copy of the artwork in existence)
Blockchain: Ethereum
Token ID: 0x123456789 (a unique identifier for this NFT)

It provides the details and characteristics of an NFT for users to read and understand. It provides important information about the NFT and the artwork it represents, such as who created it, when it was created, description, name, etc. This helps users to understand its traits, history, and value.

An NFT’s metadata is usually formatted in a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and typically includes a link to view the NFT as a Jpeg, MP4 or audio file.

Where can I find NFT’s Metadata?

It can be found using the blockchain’s explorer. For NFTs that use the ERC-721 and ERC-1155 token standards, users can also employ Etherscan to verify the authenticity of the NFT, transaction history, and its metadata.