时间:2025-04-04 04:50:15 来源:网络整理编辑:綜合
There's a growing number of people who believe that digital media's ad-supported model is broken. Ad
There's a growing number of people who believe that digital media's ad-supported model is broken. Add the co-founder/CEO of Medium, Ev Williams, to the top of that list, now.
Williams, who's also the co-founder of Twitter, announced on Wednesday that Medium has laid off 50 people—about a third of its total staff—as the company looks to change how it makes money.
As part of the announcement, Williams put forth a dark view of internet publishing:
"It’s clear that the broken system is ad-driven media on the internet," Williams wrote in a Medium post announcing the layoffs.
"It simply doesn’t serve people. In fact, it’s not designed to. The vast majority of articles, videos, and other “content” we all consume on a daily basis is paid for — directly or indirectly — by corporations who are funding it in order to advance their goals. And it is measured, amplified, and rewarded based on its ability to do that. Period. As a result, we get…well, what we get. And it’s getting worse."
Williams would know. He helped create one of the first popular self-publishing websites in Blogger, before moving on to help found Twitter, arguably the most popular self-publishing platform, period.
In 2012, he started Medium, a place he said he hoped would turn into a destination for great writing. While the website featured an attractive and simple aesthetic combined with an easy-to-use interface, the company still primarily relied on advertising to bring in money.
Williams wrote that he now realizes Medium will need to change its business model to survive.
"We had started scaling up the teams to sell and support products that were, at best, incremental improvements on the ad-driven publishing model, not the transformative model we were aiming for," he wrote.
Just what that model will be isn't entirely clear. Williams still reads like his usual idealistic and high-minded self.
"We believe that a better system — one that serves people — is possible. In fact, it’s imperative," he said, but added that "It is too soon to say exactly what this will look like."
As part of the layoffs, Medium will be closing its offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City.
You will love/hate Cards Against Humanity's new fortune cookies2025-04-04 04:19
That's it, Netflix just cornered the comedy2025-04-04 04:05
New iPhone might have a 'function area' instead of a home button2025-04-04 03:49
An English version of China's biggest taxi app is coming, but there's a small problem2025-04-04 03:34
More than half of women in advertising have faced sexual harassment, report says2025-04-04 03:05
The 27 hardest job interview questions, according to Glassdoor2025-04-04 02:50
Sad boy's attempt at hooking up reminds us to text carefully2025-04-04 02:45
Nicole Kidman is a great actress and a terrible clapper and that's okay2025-04-04 02:38
Photos show the Blue Cut fire blazing a path of destruction in California2025-04-04 02:34
Gentle koala investigating his carer's arm is what dreams are made of2025-04-04 02:29
5 people Tim Cook calls for advice on running the biggest company in the world2025-04-04 04:43
India is so tired and so overworked2025-04-04 04:37
Moana and Maui outwit a giant eight2025-04-04 03:49
Amazon refuses to turn over Alexa data in Arkansas murder trial2025-04-04 03:42
Dramatic photo captures nun texting friends after Italy earthquake2025-04-04 03:41
India is so tired and so overworked2025-04-04 03:38
This nice 22025-04-04 03:23
Kris Jenner stopped by 'The Ellen Show' to discuss her blooming love life2025-04-04 03:17
Photos show the Blue Cut fire blazing a path of destruction in California2025-04-04 02:54
Sad boy's attempt at hooking up reminds us to text carefully2025-04-04 02:17