Facebook is bringing newspapers and magazines to its home. The social media company is has introduced a new feature on its Facebook app for iPhone where it will host publication stories directly on the app to their massive user base of 1.4 billion.
Facebook is starting small and has tied up with nine major media outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, The Atlantic, BuzzFeed, BBC News, National Geographic, NBC, Spiegel and Bild. The new app was aimed at making the reader experience faster than when usually what it takes to load for mobile web articles. It introduces suite of interactive features that will allow publishers to bring their stories to life in new ways. Zoom in and explore high-resolution photos by tilting your phone. Watch auto-play videos come alive as you scroll through stories. Explore interactive maps, listen to audio captions, and even like and comment on individual parts of an article in-line.
Publishers can either choose to sell ads in their articles and keep the revenue, or use Facebook’s Audience Network to monetize unsold inventory.
Facebook Chief Product Officer Chris Cox said, “Fundamentally, this is a tool that enables publishers to provide a better experience for their readers on Facebook. Instant Articles lets them deliver fast, interactive articles while maintaining control of their content and business models.”
Facebook had early last year released Facebook Paper, ap app which served as standalone app again for iOS would be equivalent of a newspaper or magazine. The app did not attract any buzz among the Facebook fanboys but with Instant Articles, the idea seems to be back in fray and the same team from Paper with Michael Reckhow (project manager) and Mike Matas (lead designer) at helm, the idea now seems will pay higher dividends in the near future.
The New York Times Company, President and CEO, Mark Thompson said, “The New York Times already has a significant and growing audience on Facebook. We’re participating in Instant Articles to explore ways of growing the number of Times users on Facebook, improving their experience of our journalism and deepening their engagement. We have a long tradition of meeting readers where they are and that means being available not just on our own sites, but on the social platforms frequented by many current and potential Times users.”
