What defines unstructured data?

Unstructured data refers to information that does not have a predefined format or organization. This type of data is typically complex and is not easily categorized into traditional databases or tables. Because unstructured data lacks a clear structure, it makes it challenging to collect, process, and analyze using conventional data-processing methods. Examples of unstructured data include text documents, images, videos, audio files, and social media posts, where the content does not fit neatly into a structured model with rows and columns.

The other options refer to organized data types. Data that is easily formatted and processed indicates a certain level of structure, while data organized into tables follows a defined schema. Similarly, data that adheres to a strict schema is categorized as structured data, where constraints and formats are imposed to facilitate ease of access and analysis. Therefore, the defining characteristic of unstructured data is its disorganized nature and the difficulty of processing it without specialized tools or techniques.