It’s a trick question, similar to this one: “If a synchronized swimmer drowns, will the others follow”? Let me explain.

The answer is yes to both. Context comes before and after content. In this short post, I will argue that you need to have context prior to, and following your quest for content.

First, you have to set the context for which content will be harvested. It’s like putting the train on the rails before it can go in a straight line. You need to define the thematic elements relating to the domain you are interested in. This could be keywords, people to follow, hashtags, sources, etc. This context guides the content and frames it.

Then, after you receive the content, you need to enrich it with taxonomical context. That’s also referred to as semantic extraction. And I will argue that one needs to develop that taxonomy first, and then let the machine automatically tag the content against the taxonomy.

I’m pleased that you are discussing this important topic, as I’ve also been involved in applying it since mid-2008. At Eqentia, we have been surrounding content with context across various subject areas which we call “vertical news environment”. We pick a big issue or complex topic (e.g. “The Future of News”), build a taxonomy around it, harvest the right content for it, and contextually tag it accordingly.

In the current fast and furious environment of real-time news streams where each one of us is also a content-emitting machine, content will need to become more and contextual.

For the consumers of news, the right content within the right context offers a jackpot of insights and productivity.