postsmark

Postsmark is a term used in digital content management to describe a metadata framework for tagging posts with provenance, status, and version information. The concept is intended to help platforms, editors, and readers trace the origin and evolution of a post, from author submission through review to final publication.

Core features commonly associated with postsmark include a timestamp of creation, a recorded author or publisher, the current workflow state (such as draft, under review, or published), and a version identifier. Many implementations also include an optional cryptographic signature or hash of the post content to verify integrity, as well as links to previous revisions and moderation notes.

Implementation details vary; there is no universal standard for postsmark. Some platforms store postsmark data in metadata blocks or JSON-LD alongside the content, while others maintain it in an internal database and expose APIs for retrieval. Interoperability depends on agreed data schemas and access controls.

Applications of postsmark include content moderation, fact-checking workflows, auditing and provenance tracking, and improved archival integrity. It can support accountability by making it easier to verify who authored or approved a post and when changes occurred.

Critiques of postsmark focus on privacy, data exposure, and the potential for overengineering. Effective use requires clear governance, careful handling of sensitive information, and transparent disclosure to users about what data is recorded and how it is used.

See also: post, postmark, metadata, verifiable credentials, content provenance, version control in content management.