Findability

In 2005, Peter Morville wrote a book called Ambient Findability.  In the first chapter, the author defines the term as “the quality of being locatable or navigable”.   He applies the term to the ability of a user to find and then navigate a website to find appropriate information.  The brew that is necessary to achieve findability has many ingredients.  SEO is the ability to show up at the top of a search engine.  Information Architecture is the focus on the structure of the website.  Accessibility ability to provide access to as many people as possible (for instance all browser types instead of just IE).  Usability is the ease of use.  Findability is the mesh of all of these.  It encompasses search engine optimization, navigation friendliness, branding, standards compliance, understanding seeking behavior, and so on.