xbiz world
xbiz premiere

Web Consortium Wants Linked Open Data

There is a near infinite amount of data floating around cyberspace, that when taken as a whole, develops an in-depth demo- and psychographic profile of individual consumers. For example, tying the purchases you make using your credit or debit card to the titles of the books and magazines you read; the videos you watch; the music you listen to; the places you travel to — the list is never ending in our barcoded, scan-and-swipe world. Add an email address and social network contacts into this data set, and provide it all to today’s perceptive online marketers, and you have a recipe for advertising success.

Better-targeted spam is not the only use of this interrelated Linked Data, however — with some uses being far more beneficial — and others far more malevolent, as criminals, marketers, researchers and governments all seek to meld this disparate data stew into a cohesive look at anyone or anything.

According to LinkedData.org, “Linked Data is about using the Web to connect related data that wasn’t previously linked, or using the Web to lower the barriers to linking data currently linked using other methods.” Wikipedia further defines it as “a term used to describe a recommended best practice for exposing, sharing, and connecting pieces of data, information, and knowledge on the Semantic Web using URIs and RDF.”

While privacy advocates are concerned about the practice’s intrusive social aspects, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) envisions open data architectures for the cloud, where a variety of applications flexibly store and share information. W3C recently hosted its Linked Open Data Camp at the 19th International World Wide Web Conference in Raleigh, N.C., where web creator Tim Berners-Lee discussed the game-changing power of combining data from different sources to provide a clearer picture of an overall issue.

As one example, Berners-Lee cited a class-action lawsuit in Zanesville, Ohio, in which an attorney combined data on housing with data detailing the routing of municipal water lines to prove that black residents were not receiving equal access to these services.

Berners-Lee also cited the U.S. government-created Data.gov website and its U.K.-based sister site, Data.Gov.UK, as examples of innovative dataset collating.

On the private-sector front, Facebook has announced its Open Graph protocol, which allows users to place Facebook elements on to third-party websites — a technology that may be of some interest to Facebook marketers that are promoting adult personalities.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

Chaturbate's Emely Zuniga Talks Show Floor Magic and Creator Care

During industry events, you’ll likely find Zuniga gliding through the room, greeting creators, checking details and making sure everyone around her feels taken care of. With her colorful red hair, perfectly done nails and an easygoing, “work bestie” demeanor that instantly puts people at ease, she thrives in the fast-paced environment of conferences and trade shows.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

What to Know About Deepfakes, Likeness Rights, and Digital Consent

AI is reshaping virtually every sector of the global economy, and the adult industry is no exception. Many adult companies have already explored or adopted AI in content production, and surveys indicate that around 65% have considered implementing AI technologies in their operations.

Christoph Hermes ·
opinion

Key Strategies for Adapting to Stricter PCI Compliance Standards

When it comes to PCI compliance, the days of simply filling out some paperwork and answering a few questions are gone. A casual approach is just not viable anymore.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

How to Maximize Value From Your Payment Processing Fees

Regulatory requirements are putting more and more pressure on the adult industry. To stay compliant, merchants need tools that help with content moderation, age verification and fraud solutions. Unfortunately, the fees for those tools are hitting merchants’ bottom lines — including fees charged by payment services providers.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Understanding Sin Taxes and the Legal Roadblocks Ahead

As of this writing, a bill sits on the desk of Utah’s governor, awaiting his signature to make it state law. That bill includes a provision imposing an excise tax of 2% on adult sites operating in the state.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
profile

LoyalFans' Anastasia Pierce Bridges Creator Education, Empowerment and Ownership

Anastasia Pierce beams when she talks about her 26 years in the industry. Full of passionate energy, she clearly doesn’t just work in adult; she loves it.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Growing Site Revenue Under Ever-Changing Compliance Rules

Over the past year, many merchants have reported earnings that were flat or even a bit down. This is due to three main factors: age verification regulations, click-to-cancel rules, and banks backing away from cross-sales due to regulatory requirements and the rollout of the Visa Acquiring Monitoring Program (VAMP).

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

AI Safeguards for Platform Compliance and Trust

If your platform hosts user-generated content (UGC), then you already know protecting your brand is not merely a matter of good design or strong community guidelines. It requires systems that can verify who your users are, filter what they upload and ensure your business stays on the right side of regulators, payment processors and public opinion.

Christoph Hermes ·
opinion

How to Eliminate User Redirects and Improve Checkout Retention

Running an adult site, you work hard to create traffic and make sure your funnel is optimal, with the end goal of getting users to make a purchase. Then, right at that critical moment, what do you do? You send them somewhere else. Not good.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

Stripchat's Jessica on Building Creator Success, One Step at a Time

At most industry events, the spotlight naturally falls on the creators whose personalities light up screens and social feeds. Behind the booths, parties and perfectly timed photo ops, however, there is someone else shaping the experience.

Jackie Backman ·
Show More