SODP Dispatch - 17 October 2024

Transparency and trust: How news consumers in Canada want AI to be used in journalism

By Nicole Blanchett, et al.

When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI) and news production, Canadian news consumers want to know when, how and why AI is part of journalistic work. And if they don’t get that transparency, they could lose trust in news organizations.

News consumers are so concerned about how the use of AI could impact the accuracy of stories and the spread of misinformation, a majority favour government regulation of how AI is used in journalism.

🧵 CLS: What it’s measured in

Google’s Web Performance Advocate Barry Pollard explains in his thread on X how Cumulative Layout Shift is measured.
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ℹ️ Core Web Vitals and ad revenue
Check out this really useful article on setting up reports showing the impact of ad revenue with CWV .
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By Vahe Arabian

🎤 Events as a revenue and community-building tool

Recently, shifts in the B2B Publishing landscape have prompted publishers to reassess their reliance on events as a primary revenue stream. In B2B publishing, events have long been a cornerstone for revenue generation and audience engagement.

However, recent research reveals that publishers are redirecting their focus away from events as revenue dips. This shift underscores the evolving dynamics of the industry and the need for publishers to adapt to changing circumstances.

Despite the challenges posed by declining event revenue, there is room for optimism. B2B publishers can explore alternative revenue streams and innovative strategies to mitigate the impact of these changes.

One potential solution is to leverage virtual events/webinars (online communities and on-demand education) to supplement traditional in-person gatherings by embracing pub technology. Publishers can reach a broader audience and create immersive experiences that resonate with attendees.

Moreover, community building becomes crucial after revenue streams undergo shifts. Diversifying revenue streams beyond events can provide stability and resilience in the face of uncertainty. This may include exploring sponsored content, research intent data, and ABM solutions tailored to the needs of B2B audiences.

Collaboration and partnerships within the industry can also play a pivotal role in navigating events' impact. By forging strategic alliances with complementary organizations, publishers can expand their reach and unlock new revenue-generating opportunities.

Ultimately, while the decline in event revenue presents challenges for B2B publishers, continuing to mature your advertising model to become less dependent on traffic sources and towards products and solutions that matter to your prospects and audiences is essential.

Bing Webmaster Tools Update | Search Engine Journal

Microsoft has announced several changes to Bing Webmaster Tools, including extended data access, a new recommendations system, and an AI-powered assistant in limited testing.
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Google tests showing full recipes right in search results | The Verge

Though the option to view recipes in search is still in an early trial period, it’s in line with how search is changing: Google wants users to stay on its services and platforms whenever possible.
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The Paywall Gambit | Columbia Journalism Review

Reuters and CNN became the latest legacy news companies to put up paywalls, billed as the opening acts of sweeping digital reinvention. Their efforts come at a time when ad revenue is down, along with the market for volume-driven journalism, and, according to recent Pew research, an overwhelming majority of Americans—86%—get at least some news from their digital devices.
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New York Times to Bezos-Backed AI Startup: Stop Using Our Stuff |  The Wall Street Journal

The NYT sends a cease-and-desist letter to AI startup Perplexity to stop using its content; Perplexity says it is “interested in working with every” publisher.
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Press Forward awards $20 million to 205 small local newsrooms | NiemanLab

These grants, which mostly provide $100,000 in general operating support over two years, were reserved for some of the smallest newsrooms in the country; all have annual budgets under $1 million, and many have just a handful of reporters on staff.
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The Athletic, Yahoo Sports partner on new women's sports content hub | Axios

News outlets are doubling down on women's sports coverage as audience and marketer interest in the topic soars. The Athletic and Yahoo Sports believe that together, they can provide marketers with unprecedented reach of women's sports fans.
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