From a Web of Documents to a Web of Data
Discover how a simple idea is connecting the world's knowledge through the power of linked data
The early web connected documents brilliantly, but the valuable data inside them remained trapped in isolated, incompatible systems
Proprietary Schema
Locked & Isolated
No Integration
Different Schema
Incompatible Format
RDF introduced a radically simple model: describe everything as a three-part statement, or "triple"
By using global web identifiers (URIs), these statements can be linked together by anyone, anywhere, forming a single, interconnected graph of knowledge
Key milestones in RDF's journey to transform the web
The W3C publishes the first RDF specification, laying the groundwork for the Semantic Web vision.
Tim Berners-Lee outlines four simple principles for publishing data on the web, making the global data graph practical.
SPARQL becomes a W3C Recommendation, providing a standard query language for the growing Web of Data.
SHACL becomes a W3C Recommendation, addressing the critical need for data validation in enterprise RDF applications.
Discover the revolutionary advantages that make RDF the foundation of the modern Web of Data
Global URIs eliminate confusion. Every concept has a unique, web-accessible identifier.
Merge datasets instantly without complex mapping or expensive ETL processes.
Evolve your data model dynamically. Add properties and relationships without breaking existing systems.
SPARQL enables complex queries across vast interconnected datasets, revealing hidden insights.
RDF's flexibility requires validation frameworks to ensure data reliability in enterprise applications
A high-level, intuitive language for defining data structures. Describes expected properties, types, and constraints in human-readable format.
W3C Recommendation for validating RDF graphs. Provides comprehensive constraint checking and quality assurance for enterprise data systems.
See how RDF powers real-world applications across diverse sectors
Powers search result info boxes, providing instant answers through entity relationships and semantic understanding.
Enables structured markup on billions of web pages, enhancing search engine understanding and SEO effectiveness.
Bio2RDF and UniProt integrate genomics and proteomics data, accelerating drug discovery and research.
Museums and libraries use Linked Data to create interconnected digital collections spanning global cultural heritage.
Government agencies publish datasets as Linked Data, enabling transparency and cross-department data integration.
The Linked Open Data cloud connects thousands of datasets across domains, creating a global knowledge network.
Everything you need to know about RDF and its impact