Metadata is data that provides information about other data. It helps to describe, explain, or locate the primary data, making it easier to organize, find, and use. For example, in a digital photo, metadata can include details like the date the photo was taken, the camera settings, and the location where it was captured. There are different types of metadata, such as descriptive, structural, and administrative. Descriptive metadata helps users find specific data, while structural metadata indicates how different pieces of data are organized. Administrative metadata provides information about the management of the data, such as its creation date and file format.