File metadata explained
Most formats reserve space for structured metadata: EXIF in photographs, ID3 tags in MP3, XMP in PDFs and TIFFs, document properties in Office files.
Metadata survives some conversions and not others. Converting JPEG to PNG usually drops EXIF because PNG stores metadata differently, while JPEG to WebP can preserve it.
Metadata frequently contains privacy-relevant data such as GPS coordinates and device serial numbers, so stripping it before publishing is a common and sensible step.
File metadata scores
Deterministic scores calculated from the structured facts above. Identical facts always produce identical scores.
Overall score
100/100
Archiving score
100- it is a current, actively maintained format
- it is actively maintained and current
Confidence 33% · evidence coverage 56%
Longevity score
100- it is actively maintained and current
- it is a current, actively maintained format
- it sits at the centre of the format ecosystem, with many documented relationships
Confidence 35% · evidence coverage 75%
Related to File metadata
Frequently asked questions
Does converting a photo remove GPS data?
- Often yes — many target formats and encoders drop EXIF, but never assume it. Strip metadata explicitly when privacy matters.
Data quality
Every claim on this page is classified as a verified fact, a derived fact or an assumption.
- Overall confidence
- 85%
- Verification status
- verified
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-03
- Verified facts
- 1
1 classified claim backed by 1 source.
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Sources and review status
Review status: verified · confidence 85%
Last reviewed 2026-08-03 (revision 1).
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