The Ruthless Link Economy

Collide-a-Scape
By Keith Kloor
Apr 29, 2009 11:45 PMNov 19, 2019 9:41 PM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

I haven't been able to shake this days-old post by Jeff Jarvis, journalism provocateur, bar none. I suspect he's right about the only metric that counts in the new digital world. Here's the essential graph:

Every minute of a journalist's time will need to go to adding unique value to the news ecosystem: reporting, curating, organizing. This efficiency is necessitated by the reduction of resources. But it is also a product of the link and search economy: The only way to stand out is to add unique value and quality. My advice in the past has been: If you can't imagine why someone would link to what you're doing, you probably shouldn't be doing it. And: Do what you do best and link to the rest. The link economy is ruthless in judging value.

Do what you do best and link to the rest. Every journalist/blogger should chew on that line. I know I am and its giving me fits.

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.