What characteristic differentiates unstructured data from structured data?

Unstructured data is characterized by its lack of organization and labeling, which makes it different from structured data. Structured data is typically organized in a predefined manner, such as in tables with defined columns and rows, allowing for easier analysis and querying. In contrast, unstructured data does not have a fixed format or structure, making it more complex to manage and analyze. Examples of unstructured data include text documents, images, videos, and social media posts, where the information can be varied and does not follow a simple format.

This differentiation is crucial because it influences how organizations handle and analyze their data. While structured data can easily be processed by traditional data analysis tools and databases, unstructured data requires more sophisticated techniques, such as natural language processing or machine learning, to extract meaningful insights.