Finding the metadata "Goldilocks zone"

Discussing Stupid: A byte-sized podcast on stupid UX

Content provided by High Monkey. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by High Monkey or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

27d ago 18:05

MP3•Episode home

In Episode 12, host Virgil Carroll is joined by co-host Cole from High Monkey to dig into a deceptively tricky topic: metadata—what it is, how it works, and why getting it right is more about balance than perfection.

Metadata plays a huge role in findability, search accuracy, and content structure. But when it comes to tagging your content, more isn’t always better—and less definitely isn’t enough. That’s where the concept of the “metadata Goldilocks zone” comes in.

They unpack the most common metadata mistakes and what to do instead, including:

✅ Why under-tagging leaves your site relying on search engine guesswork

✅ How over-tagging renders metadata meaningless

✅ What makes a tag actually useful (and when it’s just noise)

✅ How to approach metadata as an evolving strategy—not a one-time fix

Virgil shares hard-won lessons from consulting across industries, explaining why metadata success depends on both the structure and the context of your content. From internal file systems to public websites, they explore how to build better tagging frameworks without falling into analysis paralysis.

To wrap things up, they offer a practical rule of thumb for anyone managing metadata: optimize for the 80% of user needs first—and let real usage data guide the rest.

For more conversations about digital strategy, search, UX, and all the ways we get it wrong (and how to get it right), visit www.discussingstupid.com and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

(0:00) - Intro

(2:27) - What even is metadata?

(4:10) - Metadata is not one-size-fits-all

(7:20) - The dangers of under tagging

(10:00) - The dangers of over tagging

(12:43) - Finding the “Goldilocks” zone with metadata

(15:30) - Virgil’s verdict: Follow the 80/20 rule

Subscribe for email updates on our website:

https://www.discussingstupid.com/

Watch us on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@discussingstupid

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Soundcloud:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/discussing-stupid-a-byte-sized-podcast-on-stupid-ux/id1428145024

https://open.spotify.com/show/0c47grVFmXk1cco63QioHp?si=87dbb37a4ca441c0

https://soundcloud.com/discussing-stupid

Check us out on socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/discussing-stupid

https://www.instagram.com/discussingstupid/

https://www.facebook.com/discussingstupid

https://x.com/DiscussStupid

26 episodes

#Tech #Business #Marketing #Virgil Carroll #Usability #Search #Digital Marketing #Content Strategy #Customer Data #Graphic Design #Information Architecture #Digital Strategy #Web Design #Best Practices #UX Design