Facebook’s recent focus on balancing their newsfeed algorithm suddenly makes sense as the Wall Street Journal breaks the news regarding Instant Articles – making news publishers content available in its entirety right on Facebook. Instant Articles could potentially launch as early as this month, and according to the Wall Street Journal report, Facebook has offered to change its customary revenue-sharing model. Sources told the publication one of the versions being considered is that the media companies would keep all of the revenue from ads they sell on Facebook-hosted news sites. If Facebook sells the ad, however it would pocket approximately 30 percent of the revenue.
“News feed is one of the most important services that we build, giving everyone the most personalized newspaper in the world. The best personalized newspaper should be intricate, rich and engaging.[1]”
As of right now Facebook is set to test out Instant Articles with a few select publishers such as The New York Times, National Geographic and BuzzFeed. Surely more and more publishers will join the mix – and then the real fun begins.
Data & statistics. We already know that people spend an enormous amount of their online time on Facebook – and when done right Facebook marketing can be a phenomenal tool for publishers – however will it ultimately provide enough advertising revenue for publishers? Furthermore will the audience response be bigger or smaller as compared to the existing audience of media sites like Jalopnik? What will Instant Articles end up doing to publishers who aren’t participating?
These are all questions we’ll have to answer as Instant Articles gets rolled out by Facebook. Have more questions? Leave them and your thoughts in the comments below.