"There's nothing left for you in the dead malls of Web 2.0. The era of mass platform-based social media has ended, and any publication still chasing likes and clicks in 2026 is holding the bag. This means publications need to work harder than ever to define their identities and become destinations that readers remember to return to again and again."
"we might begin to see a broader return to filtering applications like RSS readers. Maybe, thinking even more optimistically, there could be a revival of the "link blog" in the coming months (if we can call new projects that, which will most likely emerge as newsletters). Which is to say, more people - rather than agents or bots or what have you - who can direct you to what's good online."
The era of mass platform-based social media has ended; publications that chase likes and clicks risk failure. Publications must work harder to define identities and become destinations readers remember to return to. A renewed interest in filtering tools like RSS readers and link blogs or newsletters could redirect attention to curated human-led linking. A user-friendly RSS reader with Google Reader-style social features could consolidate news, blogs, newsletters, Fediverse, and Bluesky feeds. Journalism should avoid sacrificing mission for transient virality and focus on being compelling enough for readers to visit directly. Legacy helps but is not required; clear editorial through lines and strong points of view build memorable outlets.
Read at Nieman Lab
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