Discoverability

Discoverability is the degree to which something, especially a piece of content or information, can be found in a search of a file, database, or other information system. Discoverability is a concern in library and information science, many aspects of digital media, software and web development, and in marketing, since products and services cannot be used if people cannot find it or do not understand what it can be used for.

Metadata, or "information about information," such as a book's title, a product's description, or a website's keywords, affects how discoverable something is on a database or online. Adding metadata to a product that is available online can make it easier for end users to find the product. For example, if a song file is made available online, making the title, name of the band, genre, year of release, and other pertinent information available in connection with this song means the file can be retrieved more easily. Organizing information by putting it into alphabetical order or including it in a search engine is an example of how to improve discoverability.

Discoverability is related to, but different from, accessibility and usability, other qualities that affect the usefulness of a piece of information.