SODP Dispatch - 3 October 2024

AI and Automation: The Impact on Journalism

By Vahe Arabian

The dramatic rise of large language models like ChatGPT and Midjourney has brought AI and automation to the mainstream. Publishers are actively embracing AI tools to increase productivity and cut costs. How is this highly disruptive technology impacting the field of journalism, and what does it mean for the future of journalists?

🛠️ CrUX Vis

Check out newly released CrUX Vis - a new experimental Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) tool to allow you to visualize CrUX History API data.
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▶️ Chrome DevTools for Performance Audits
Check out this quick performance tip from Sander van SurksumSander van Surksum - a quick view of what’s slowing down the page and where optimisations can be made.
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By Vahe Arabian

💸 Ad revenue tips

Publishers can quickly get ads up and running on their site by signing up with a solutions partner with the appropriate technology and expertise. Onboarding can be completed in as little as a week, with the publisher’s biggest technical contribution being inserting a tag into their site’s header.

That’s not to say there aren’t strategic considerations that need to be weighed up, however. Maximizing ad revenue comes down to getting the foundation right before optimizing performance further down the track.

Here are some of the factors publishers should consider:

Ad types: Publishers can team up with any number of solution providers to show ads on their sites or apps, but it’s important to understand the different sizes and types available. Picking the most suitable ads will go a long way to improving audience engagement.

Target audience: Identifying the target audience is crucial for effective ad placement. Publishers need to align their ad content with the interests and demographics of their audience to maximize engagement and revenue.

Pricing strategy: There are several different pricing models that publishers can select when signing up with an adtech partner (CPM, CPC, CPA, CPI), with each having its pros and cons.

Tracking and optimization: Publishers with a robust plan for tracking and optimizing ad performance are far more likely to see their revenue grow than those without.

Legal considerations: Digital content providers must be aware of and comply with laws and regulations related to online advertising. This includes adhering to privacy regulations, avoiding deceptive practices and respecting IP rights.

UX: While most publishers will be tracking some website performance metrics to understand how engaged their audience is, it’s important to understand that ads can also impair a site’s user experience (UX) and reduce its SEO.

Load speed optimization: Publishers need to optimize ads to minimize their impact on website loading times. Slow-loading ads don’t just frustrate users, but they can also affect a page’s SEO.

Google's AI Overviews are showing more niche-specific content | Search Engine Journal

New data from BrightEdge shows significant changes to Google AI Overviews, prioritizing topic-specific sites and a stronger focus on ecommerce ahead of the year-end shopping season.
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Reuters, CNN add website paywalls | Axios

CNN and Reuters both announced paywalls on Tuesday, bucking the recent trend of major news sites pulling back from paid content. Both companies will allow users to access a certain number of articles before being confronted with a paywall. CNN's subscription will cost $3.99 monthly. Reuters' will cost $1 per week.
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The New York Times redesigns its app to highlight a universe beyond just news |  NiemanLab

The New York Times launches its biggest app overhaul since 2008, adding personalized recommendations and content from The Athletic, The Wirecutter, and others.
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Microsoft brings AI-powered overviews to Bing | TechCrunch

On the heels of a pilot in July, Bing generative search — albeit still under development — began rolling out to all U.S. users. The easiest way to invoke it is by searching “Bing generative search” on Bing; Microsoft also said it is introducing an option to more easily trigger Bing generative search for “informational queries.”
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AppliedXL and Associated Press team up to use AI to sift through federal regulations | FastCompany

Last month, the Associated Press and computational journalism startup AppliedXL announced AP Local Lede, an AI-powered tool designed to help journalists sift through large datasets and identify actionable local news tips. The tool analyzes data from federal agencies to extract insights that highlight how federal regulations and government actions impact specific communities and businesses across all 50 states.
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