If you don't know the difference between unstructured and structured media, you must read this

Adverse media screening is essential for identifying reputational & regulatory risks and ensuring being compliant. But should you rely on structured or unstructured searches? Each method has strengths and limitations. In this post, we’ll explore these differences and explain how Taidalos brings the best of both approaches together to deliver a cutting-edge solution.

Structured Searches: Precise but Limited

Unstructured adverse media screening relies on source lists monitored through keywords. The results are then processed by hundreds of analysts working 10+ hour shifts in Southeast Asian outsourcing centers, who manually review hits, create profiles, and assign risk categories. These profiles are then stored in searchable databases. It’s a very very labor-intensive process. Most reputable products are: DJRC, World Check, World Compliance, RDC.

Advantages:

• High Accuracy: Structured searches operate on pre-organized datasets, ensuring precision
• Speed: Searching structured data is quick and efficient, ideal for high-volume checks
• Ease of Use: Integrating these datasets into existing workflows is straightforward

Drawbacks:

• Dependence on Human Input: Structured databases rely on manual validation and categorization
• Limited Global Coverage: Smaller media outlets, particularly in non-Western regions, are underrepresented
• Static and Reactive: Less adaptable to new or fast-changing risks outside predefined categories

Unstructured Searches: Broad but Challenging

Unstructured adverse media screening casts a wide net across diverse information sources. Whether utilizing traditional search engines like Google and Bing, or specialized platforms such as Factiva or Refinitiv Media Check, analysts ultimately receive news articles that require careful evaluation. These searches generate raw, unfiltered content from various media outlets and online sources, presenting a comprehensive but unorganized view of potential risks. The resulting articles come in multiple formats, languages, and levels of credibility, requiring significant analyst time to assess.

Advantages:

• Wide Scope: Unstructured searches cover a broader range of sources
• Speed: Real-time searches enable quick identification of emerging threats
• Contextual Awareness: These searches can uncover nuanced risks through text analysis

Drawbacks:

• Overwhelming Results: High volume of unstructured data leads to false-positive rates
• Processing Demands: Extracting actionable insights requires significant resources
• Lack of Organization: Raw unstructured data requires additional structuring

How Taidalos is Different

Taidalos is a real-time adverse media screening tool that eliminates traditional limitations through:

• Client-Controlled Searches: Clients define their keywords and risk categories
• Live Search Capability: Conducts real-time searches when queries are initiated
• AI-Driven Analysis: Uses advanced AI to analyze and structure data
• Deny-List: We Leverage domain expertise to exclude irrelevant sources and media, reducing false positives

The Taidalos Advantage

Our solution combines live unstructured searches with AI-driven analysis to deliver:

• Efficient Processing: AI-structured results for actionable insights and no more false positives
• Real-Time Results: Immediate delivery of new online information
• Global Reach: Comprehensive coverage including smaller media outlets in all jurisdictions
• Customized Searches: Complete control over what risk you care about

Conclusion

Structured searches offer precision but have limited scope. Unstructured searches provide breadth but require significant processing. Taidalos bridges this gap by combining the best of both approaches.

Our live search capability ensures current information, while AI analysis organizes results into actionable insights. With Taidalos, you get real-time coverage, global reach, and complete control—all in one solution.

Ready to transform how you manage adverse media risks? Test it now for free!