Our stories
User needs and AI: a deep dive in the data bunker
July 3, 2024 by Goran S. Milovanović
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new2_databunker.width-1180.jpg)
Reactions on the Digital News Report: ‘We produce beyond what is needed’
June 26, 2024 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new2_report_reactions.width-1180.jpg)
The Reuters Institute agrees: user needs are transformative
June 18, 2024 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new2_reuters3.width-1180.jpg)
Are these 5 things holding you back from changing analytics tools?
May 29, 2024 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new2_5thingsholdingback.width-1180.jpg)
How to reach Gen Z: a guide for modern news consumption
May 8, 2024 by Kamelia Kamoun and Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/soblog_genz_header.width-1180.jpg)
We can increase your subscriptions by up to 39%
May 2, 2024 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/soblog_increasesubscriptions_header_TVcGO4X.width-1180.jpg)
What Waze can teach us about AI in journalism
April 23, 2024 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new2_waze_header.width-1180.jpg)
Four key topics at INMA World Congress in London
April 18, 2024 by Stefan ten Teije and Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_london.width-1180.jpg)
User needs news: clearing up the confusion about 'Update me'
April 11, 2024 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_updateme.width-1180.jpg)
Engagement vs loyalty: which is more important?
March 20, 2024 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_engagement_vs_loyalty.width-1180.jpg)
Engaging social natives in the era of news avoidance
March 14, 2024 by Sophie van Oostvoorn
![](/media/images/GuestBlog_sophieoostvanvoorn.width-1180.jpg)
A four-point checklist for writing engaging longform stories
Feb. 9, 2024 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_decisiontree2_header_1.width-1180.jpg)
Our 8 rules for ethics in AI and journalism
Jan. 23, 2024 by Erik van Heeswijk
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_ethics3.width-1180.jpg)
How to compare data analytics tools
Jan. 12, 2024 by Erik van Heeswijk
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_compareanalyticstools2.width-1180.jpg)
7 ways to create more engaging content
Jan. 5, 2024 by Rutger Verhoeven
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_7waysbetterengagingcontent.width-1180.jpg)
5 great examples of innovative longform journalism online
Dec. 21, 2023 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_innovativelongform.width-1180.jpg)
Questions and answers about the User Needs Model 2.0
Dec. 15, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije and Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_QA_userneeds2.width-1180.jpg)
AI in journalism & the lessons of the early internet
Dec. 7, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_AIinjournalism.width-1180.jpg)
Behind our AI tool for user needs: insights and surprises
Nov. 13, 2023 by Rutger Verhoeven, Em Kuntze, Stefan ten Teije
![AI tool recogniser](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_AItoolsuprises.width-1180.jpg)
The future newsroom has its virtual assistant
Oct. 24, 2023 by Em Kuntze
![Artificial intelligence virtual assistant](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_virtualassistant_header2.width-1180.jpg)
Here is how AI is changing content analytics
Oct. 17, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![Content analytics with AI](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_Aichangeedit_header_1.width-1180.jpg)
How to start using AI in your newsroom
Oct. 10, 2023 by Em Kuntze
![AI, Artificial Intelligence](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_startusingAIinyournewsroom.width-1180.jpg)
AI in news media: biggest trends and best practices
Oct. 3, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_aiishere_smartoctober.width-1180.jpg)
What is the optimal number of words in a headline?
Sept. 14, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_headlinesize3.width-1180.jpg)
News videos are not your ticket to higher engagement
Aug. 24, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![engagement, video's](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_video.width-1180.jpg)
5 questions about smartocto’s Content Performance Indicator
Aug. 10, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije, Em Kuntze
![What is our content performance indicator](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_5questionsCPI.width-1180.jpg)
What is Google Analytics 4 and how will it affect your work?
Aug. 1, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_GA4.width-1180.jpg)
For more engagement, choose the best news format
July 25, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![format cards](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_blog_chooseformat.width-1180.jpg)
How to create higher engagement in articles
July 7, 2023 by Em Kuntze
![EP Times](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_economist.width-1180.jpg)
Reuters Report 2023: key findings and what do to with them
June 26, 2023 by Em Kuntze
![Reuters report 2023 key findings](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_reuters.width-1180.jpg)
Create a checklist for ‘Update me’ stories
June 14, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![Create checklist, update me](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_checklistbreakingnews.width-1180.jpg)
Why positive news should have your attention
June 8, 2023 by Rutger Verhoeven
![positieve, divert me](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_positivenews_1.width-1180.jpg)
Effective ways to improve the performance of breaking news
May 8, 2023 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_CPIscorebreakingnews.width-1180.jpg)
Measure your success in 3 simple steps
March 30, 2023 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_quicksuccessaudit.width-1180.jpg)
Explaining the user needs
March 1, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije, Jacqueline Woudstra
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_userneeds2explained.width-1180.jpg)
How to write a 'keep me engaged' article
Feb. 24, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/UN2_howtowrite_keepmeengaged.width-1180.jpg)
How to write a 'connect me' article
Feb. 24, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/UN2_howtowrite_connect.width-1180.jpg)
How to write a ‘help me’ article
Feb. 23, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/UN2_howtowrite_help.width-1180.jpg)
What’s the difference between constructive and service journalism?
Feb. 8, 2023 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_constructive-service_1.width-1180.jpg)
Why there should be more editorial focus on TikTok, according to journalist Marieke Kuypers
Jan. 3, 2023 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_tiktokgenz2.width-1180.jpg)
Contest: which notification needs to be added in 2023?
Dec. 30, 2022 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_noticontest3.width-1180.jpg)
The 2022 numbers in the context of a decade
Dec. 22, 2022 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_2022innumbers_title.width-1180.jpg)
Six TikTok videos that prove journalism is right at home there
Nov. 22, 2022 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_tiktok.width-1180.jpg)
How TV news can boost online views
Nov. 17, 2022 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_rtlnieuws.width-1180.jpg)
The evolution of the user needs model: ‘it needs constant change’
Nov. 10, 2022 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_evolutionuserneeds2.width-1180.jpg)
How to switch from Twitter to Mastodon after the Elon Musk takeover
Nov. 2, 2022 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_switchtwitter.width-1180.jpg)
How to reuse content across social media channels
Oct. 23, 2022 by Dylan van Essen & Stefan ten Teije
![how to reuse content across social media channels blog](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_reusecontent.width-1180.jpg)
Create better intros and deliver on your promise
Oct. 17, 2022 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_betterintros2.width-1180.jpg)
Writing your next article: read this first
Oct. 10, 2022 by Em Kuntze
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_userneeds.width-1180.jpg)
4 things from World News Media Congress you should know
Oct. 6, 2022 by Rutger Verhoeven
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_zaragoza.width-1180.jpg)
This is what you should do to create better A/B tests
Oct. 3, 2022 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_abtestingless.width-1180.jpg)
Want to get started with the Quadrant Model? Here’s how
Sept. 26, 2022 by Em Kuntze
![Get started with the Quadrant Model](/media/images/BLOG_illu_quadrant2.width-1180.jpg)
From newsroom to analytics tool: why I joined smartocto
Sept. 20, 2022 by Stefan ten Teije
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_fromnewsroom.width-1180.jpg)
The power of restraint: how to win by writing less
Sept. 8, 2022 by Rutger Verhoeven
![Win by writing less](/media/images/BLOG_illu_powerconstrain2.width-1180.jpg)
A practical guide to using UTM tags
Aug. 26, 2022 by Danique Roefs
![Illustration of utm tags](/media/images/BLOG_illu_utmtags.width-1180.jpg)
What social media teach us about news production
July 29, 2022 by Em Kuntze
![News on social](/media/images/consuming_news.width-1180.png)
3 tips to boost conversions in the newsroom
July 14, 2022 by Em Kuntze
![User conversion - why engagement is key](/media/images/BLOG_illu_conversion2.width-1180.jpg)
The great shift: from tech noobs to tech natives
June 29, 2022 by Rutger Verhoeven
![The Great Shift part 3](/media/images/BLOG_illu_thegreatshift_part3_2.width-1180.jpg)
The great shift: from trust me to show me
June 14, 2022 by Rutger Verhoeven
![The great shift: part 2](/media/images/BLOG_illu_thegreatshift_part2.width-1180.jpg)
Book review: All the news that's fit to click
June 6, 2022 by Erik van Heeswijk
![Book review: All the news that's fit to click](/media/images/BLOG_illu_bookreview_allthenews.width-1180.png)
The great shift: from product to service
June 1, 2022 by Rutger Verhoeven
![The great shift part 1](/media/images/BLOG_illu_thegreatshiff_part1.width-1180.jpg)
Inventing smartify: how our Labs team did it
May 20, 2022 by Goran Milovanovic
![Inventing smartify: how our Labs team did it](/media/images/BLOG_illu_labsteam_invsmartify.width-1180.png)
Dmitry Shishkin: 5 years into the user needs story
May 17, 2022 by Dmitry Shishkin
![Guest blog about user needs project: 5 years into the story](/media/images/Quest_blog_Dmitry_Shishkin.001_UhlNUSN.width-1180.png)
Server side tracking explained
April 22, 2022 by Em Kuntze
![Server side tracking](/media/images/BLOG_illu_serversidetracking2.width-1180.png)
The 7 year itch: are our founding fathers still ‘in love’?
April 14, 2022 by Eveline de Boer
![Founding Fathers interview](/media/images/BLOG_illu_foundingfathers.width-1180.jpg)
Reaching Gen Z: TikTok tips for newsrooms
March 29, 2022 by Eveline de Boer
![Reaching Gen Z with TikTok](/media/images/BLOG_illu_tiktok.width-1180.png)
Data study: engagement on mobile vs desktop
March 25, 2022 by Em Kuntze
![mobile vs. desktop data study](/media/images/BLOG_illu_datastudy_mob_dt.width-1180.png)
Part 3: The future of editorial analytics
Feb. 21, 2022 by Erik van Heeswijk
![The future of editorial analytics](/media/images/BLOG_illu_smartify3_future_web.width-1180.png)
Part 2: How does Smartify work?
Feb. 16, 2022 by Rutger Verhoeven
![Part 2 of 3, How Smartify works](/media/images/BLOG_illu_smartify_how3_web_1.width-1180.jpg)
Part 1: What is Smartify?
Feb. 4, 2022 by Rutger Verhoeven
![Smartify, part 1](/media/images/BLOG_illu_smartify3_web2.width-1180.png)
What’s up with Google Analytics’ GDPR?
Feb. 1, 2022 by Eveline de Boer
![GDPR violation of Google Analytics](/media/images/BLOG_illu_GDPR_Google3_web.width-1180.png)
5 tips to create distinctive longtail journalism content
Dec. 23, 2021 by Eveline de Boer
![5 tips for longtail content](/media/images/longtail_1920x1080.original.width-1180.png)
2021: the year the user was finally put front and centre
Dec. 14, 2021 by Danique Roefs
![Trends from 2021](/media/images/Trends_2021_QPVc2Is.original.width-1180.png)
How to introduce a data inspired culture to the newsroom
Dec. 1, 2021 by Erik van Heeswijk
![Let's get you started: Introducing a data inspired culture](/media/images/so_thoughtsfrom_erik3_small.width-1180.png)
Why connecting with your audience is key for engagement
Oct. 19, 2021 by Rutger Verhoeven
![Header image for our blog: Thoughts from our CMO - Engaging content](/media/images/Schermafbeelding_2022-02-03_om_10.34.29.width-1180.png)
Using smart notifications as a Newsroom Nanny
Sept. 1, 2021 by Rutger Verhoeven
![Using smart notifications as a Newsroom Nanny](/media/images/so_thoughtsfrom_rutger7_small2.width-1180.png)
Making content analytics data actionable
Aug. 30, 2021 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![Actionable content analytics](/media/images/Making_content_analytics_data_actionable.orig.width-1180.png)
Why you should choose editorial over generic analytics
Aug. 20, 2021 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![Choose editorial analytics over generic analytics](/media/images/Why_choose_editorial_analytics.width-1180.png)
Why a great content marketing strategy beats third party cookies
June 23, 2021 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![A great content strategy beats third party cookies](/media/images/Content_beats_3rd_party_cookies_yC0aDVM.origi.width-1180.png)
Public media need a special metric and content strategy
April 22, 2021 by Erik van Heeswijk
![Public metric](/media/images/public_metric.original.width-1180.png)
Let's talk about innovative journalism
April 14, 2021 by Em Kuntze
![Innovative journalism](/media/images/innovative_journalism_lm8M6Oo.original.width-1180.png)
How we did it: building News Needs Notifications
April 7, 2021 by Em Kuntze
![we build news needs notifications](/media/images/Building_news_needs_notifications.original.width-1180.png)
Story prioritisation in the newsroom: write more about less
April 6, 2021 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![Content prioritisation in the newsroom](/media/images/Content_prioritisation_ej7HUKB.original.width-1180.png)
Data driven vs data informed in the newsroom
March 25, 2021 by Em Kuntze
![Data informed vs. data driven](/media/images/data_informed_vs_data_driven_NLv8Gwa.original.width-1180.png)
How newsrooms can transform into editorial action centres
Feb. 15, 2021 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![Digital transformation: why newsrooms transformed into editorial action centres](/media/images/Digital_transformation_-_featured_sMBFQvb.ori.width-1180.png)
9 reasons why analytics in the newsroom fail
Jan. 12, 2021 by Laurens de Knijff
![9 reasons why your analytics fail in the newsroom](/media/images/9_reasons_why_your_analytics_fail_xrc4swm.width-1180.jpg)
RealTalk podcast episode 1: the user needs model
Jan. 10, 2021 by smartocto
![RealTalk Podcast episode 1: the user needs model, with Dmitry Shishkin](/media/images/RealTalk1_iUGgeZw.original.width-1180.png)
Introducing the user needs model to your newsroom
Jan. 9, 2021 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![Introducing the user needs approach to the newsroom](/media/images/Introducing_user_needs_S5iulQH.original_1.width-1180.png)
How to write a 'divert me' article
Jan. 8, 2021 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![](/media/images/UN2_howtowrite_divert.width-1180.jpg)
How to write a 'give me perspective' article
Dec. 22, 2020 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![](/media/images/UN2_howtowrite_perspective.width-1180.jpg)
How to write an 'update me' article
Dec. 22, 2020 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![](/media/images/UN2_howtowrite_update.width-1180.jpg)
10 things 2020 taught us about online publishing
Dec. 16, 2020 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![Lessons from 2020](/media/images/10_lessons_from_2020.original.width-1180.png)
How to write an 'inspire me' article
Dec. 15, 2020 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![](/media/images/UN2_howtowrite_inspire_fpJCnsg.width-1180.jpg)
How to write a 'Keep me on trend' article
Dec. 8, 2020 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![](/media/images/UN2_howtowrite_trend.width-1180.jpg)
How to write an 'educate me' article
Dec. 2, 2020 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![](/media/images/UN2_howtowrite_educate.width-1180.jpg)
Gaining trust: what does your audience need from the news?
Nov. 30, 2020 by Em Kuntze
![Audience needs from the news](/media/images/Trust_and_user_needs_-_featured_pQOj9fq.origi.width-1180.png)
When longform journalism and user needs meet, the story thrives
Nov. 10, 2020 by Wessel Wildeboer
![longform journalism](/media/images/longform_user_needs_header_1920x1080.original.width-1180.png)
Redefining loyalty
Nov. 5, 2020 by Em Kuntze
![Redefining loyalty](/media/images/measuring_loyalty_5LdA91R.original.width-1180.png)
Data study: the true value of loyal readers
Nov. 5, 2020 by Milos Stanic
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_truevalueloyalreaders.width-1180.jpg)
5 questions about the user needs
Oct. 28, 2020 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![user needs questions](/media/images/5_questions_about_user_needs_-_featured_kHKsa.width-1180.png)
Building a great omnichannel strategy
Oct. 14, 2020 by Wessel Wildeboer
![Building a great omnichannel strategy](/media/images/omnichannel_header.original.width-1180.png)
Should you stop writing about corona?
Oct. 8, 2020 by Jacqueline Woudstra
![Data study: should you stop writing about coronavirus](/media/images/Corona_data_study_pt._2_LyVirJv.width-1180.png)
The added value of smart notifications
Sept. 23, 2020 by Wessel Wildeboer
![The added value of a smart notification](/media/images/Added_value_smart_notifications.width-1180.png)
11 tips to create content for younger audiences
Sept. 16, 2020 by Rutger Verhoeven
![](/media/images/BLOG_illu_new_11tipscontentyoung.width-1180.jpg)
How to shift towards a paywall: a detailed guide
July 30, 2020 by Milos Stanic
![How to shift towards a paywall](/media/images/image2.original.width-1180.png)
Trust levels in the news aren’t great. (here’s what you can do about it)
June 30, 2020 by Em Kuntze
![Trust in the news](/media/images/Trust_in_news.width-1180.png)
Reaching the ‘impossible generation’: How can publishers engage millennial audiences?
June 30, 2020 by Milos Stanic
![Reaching the impossible generation: Millennials](/media/images/Reaching_the_impossible_generation.original.width-1180.png)
Why the subscription model may not work for you
June 11, 2020 by Em Kuntze
![The subscription model](/media/images/The_subscription_model_may_not_work.original.width-1180.png)
Smart notifications: the simple, single answer to Data Shock
June 10, 2020 by Rutger Verhoeven
![Smart notification](/media/images/Data_shock.width-1180.png)
Content overkill? Or: the power of longtail articles
June 10, 2020 by Milos Stanic
![The power of longtail content](/media/images/The_power_of_longtail.original.width-1180.png)
How to strategically tag content and keep your visitors engaged
June 10, 2020 by smartocto
![How to strategically tag content](/media/images/How_to_strategically_tag_content.original.width-1180.png)
Coronavirus & audience behaviour: 5 actionable insights for editors
May 25, 2020 by Milos Stanic & Em Kuntze
![5 insights](/media/images/featured_1.original.width-1180.png)
Data study: coronavirus has a huge impact on traffic and reader loyalty in Europe
April 15, 2020 by Milos Stanic
![coronavirus impact on reader loyalty](/media/images/corona_blog.original.width-1180.png)
This is our Story Life Cycle approach
April 10, 2020 by Rutger Verhoeven
![Story Life Cycle](/media/images/Story_value_engine__life_cycle.002.width-1180.png)
Meet our incredible Story Value Engine
April 9, 2020 by Rutger Verhoeven
![Story value Engine](/media/images/Story_value_engine__life_cycle.001.width-1180.png)