Monetization Through Content Indexing: a Crucial Step for Media and Entertainment Companies – Chief Marketer

The rapid rise of AI has created a lot of buzz, but for media and entertainment companies, the real challenge lies in cutting through the noise and focusing on what truly matters: preparing content for an AI-driven future. One of the most critical first steps is content indexing. This process lays the foundation for AI to optimize operations, generate new revenue and ensure businesses are ready for the next wave of technological change.

Future-Proofing With AI

AI is evolving quickly, reshaping industries at a remarkable pace. PwC projects the global AI market to reach $15.7 trillion by 2030, and media companies that don’t adopt AI risk falling behind. The starting point for AI readiness is content indexing—organizing, tagging and categorizing media. This allows AI systems to effectively analyze and utilize content, unlocking a range of business opportunities. Importantly, this doesn’t have to be done manually. AI-driven Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) can detect and time-stamp faces, objects, logos and even specific scenes, making the content “data model ready.”

Advanced AI models, like those powered by GPT architecture, will further revolutionize media management. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 80% of new technologies will have AI foundations. That means the content indexed today will be vital to these systems in the near future, supporting enhanced search, personalized recommendations and even synthetic content creation. AI will enable the creation of new experiences, such as b-roll footage recommendations and the generation of entirely new content from existing archives.

Monetization: Unlocking New Revenue Streams

Monetization opportunities are also emerging. AI model developers are investing heavily in indexed content to train their systems. Companies like OpenAI use large datasets to improve applications that range from video clip generation to sports coaching apps. These AI models require a vast amount of indexed media, opening immediate revenue streams for content owners willing to provide training data.

The value of indexed content extends far beyond AI development. As the global digital content creation market grows—expected to reach $38.2 billion by 2027—media organizations have a unique opportunity to capitalize on existing content by repurposing it for new platforms and audiences. For ad-supported media, indexing enables detailed analysis of sponsorship integrations, earned media and campaign performance, all of which enhance advertising intelligence.

Tackling Content Overload With AI

The sheer volume of digital content being produced is staggering. By 2025, global data creation is expected to hit 180 zettabytes. For media organizations, this means an overwhelming amount of content that must be managed efficiently. Traditional content management methods, such as manual logging and clipping, are becoming unsustainable.

Content indexing addresses this challenge by tagging and categorizing media from the moment it’s created, streamlining the process of finding and using specific pieces. This reduces the burden on media teams, allowing for faster turnaround times and higher-quality content.

The operational benefits of AI-driven indexing are significant. McKinsey reports that companies using AI see a 20% increase in productivity. For media organizations, this can mean more content produced with the same or fewer resources. Automated workflows can manage distribution, metadata generation and even localization, making operations smoother and faster.

A prime example is the BBC, which uses AI tools with indexed content to automatically generate subtitles. This not only improves efficiency but also enhances accessibility, ensuring content reaches a wider audience.

Gaining a Competitive Edge

Content indexing goes beyond operational efficiency—it offers a competitive advantage. With rising consumer expectations for personalized content, companies that can quickly and accurately deliver relevant material will stand out. A study by Accenture found that 91% of consumers are more likely to engage with brands that offer personalized recommendations, and the same principle applies to media consumption.

Indexed content allows organizations to better understand their audiences, enabling them to deliver tailored experiences through AI-driven recommendations, targeted advertising or personalized content delivery. This leads to higher engagement, loyalty and ultimately increased revenue.

The media and entertainment industry is at a pivotal moment, with AI and content proliferation driving dramatic changes. Content indexing is not just a technical necessity—it’s a strategic imperative. By indexing your content now, you’re laying the groundwork for future success, enabling your organization to fully leverage AI, unlock new revenue streams and improve operational efficiency. Companies that embrace content indexing will not just survive—they will thrive in the AI-driven future of media and entertainment.

Paul Cramer is Managing Director, Media and Broadcast, at Veritone.