What the hell happened to traffic? + Stuff's pivots and RNZ's regrets
Sep 30, 2024
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Anna Rawhiti-Connell, head of audience for The Spinoff and former social media strategist, dives into the evolving landscape of audience engagement. She analyzes what led to a decline in referral traffic from social media and discusses the challenges of adapting content strategies amidst changing algorithms. The conversation also touches on Stuff's recent pivots, including the end of Newsable and the shifting dynamics at RNZ regarding content removal. Anna highlights the complexities of maintaining visibility for publishers in today's digital ecosystem.
The evolution of social media has drastically impacted traffic generation for media companies, shifting reliance from organic reach to direct audience engagement.
Media outlets are now experimenting with diverse content formats, such as vertical video, in a bid to attract younger audiences while facing challenges in maintaining trust and content quality.
Deep dives
The Evolving Role of Audience Engagement
The role of audience engagement in media has transformed significantly over the years, with dedicated positions like Head of Audience now being essential for understanding consumer behavior. Previously, media outlets relied on a simpler model where the audience was defined as anyone who bought a newspaper. Today, due to the complexity of digital platforms and social media, it is crucial to comprehend audience preferences and tailor content strategies accordingly. This shift highlights the importance of data analysis and community interaction in modern media practices.
The Impact of Social Media on Traffic Generation
Social media has changed how traffic is generated for media companies, with platforms like Facebook serving as major referral sources in the past. Initially, these platforms drove substantial traffic to media content, but their algorithms have since evolved, causing a significant decline in organic reach. The discussion highlights how this shift has forced publishers to reconsider their strategies and the reliance on social media for traffic is now much lower. Many now prioritize direct traffic, which indicates a stronger and more loyal audience base.
Challenges with Emerging Platforms
The podcast discusses the rise of alternative platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit, which provide different engagement opportunities but also present challenges for traditional media outlets. While LinkedIn focuses on professional content, Reddit fosters community engagement, allowing for niche discussions and feedback. However, navigating these platforms requires understanding their unique cultures and user expectations, which can be daunting for publishers. The conversation emphasizes the need for media companies to adapt creatively to maintain relevance and effectively engage their audiences.
The Future of Media and Content Strategies
Media companies are increasingly experimenting with content formats like vertical video to attract younger audiences, but the results have been mixed. While some publishers have invested in vertical content to mirror trends seen on platforms like TikTok, others have abandoned these attempts when they don't yield expected results. The conversation reflects a broader concern about retaining audience trust and ensuring content quality amidst the fight for viewer attention. Ultimately, the need for transparency, innovation, and adaptability is emphasized as crucial for the survival of media in a rapidly changing landscape.
Anna Rawhiti-Connell is head of audience for The Spinoff, but spent most of the last decade working in social media for BNZ and the Auckland Theatre Company. She joins Duncan to do a deep dive into the changing nature and shape of social platforms – specifically what happened to links, and therefore traffic. Then they discuss two changes at Stuff – the end of Newsable, and the removal of vertical video from its homepage – before discussing the way RNZ handled the removal of a podcast episode.