Facebook is getting friendlier with the news.
The world’s largest social network is developing a mobile product codenamed “Reader” that will highlight and showcase news from Facebook users and media organizations, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
Iterations of the new Facebook offering look like social news app Flipboard, which aggregates stories based on a user’s preferences, the WSJ reports. The new Facebook product could offer news items that a user’s friends are sharing or stories that are trending on the site, according to the WSJ, encouraging people to spend more time on Facebook -- and in turn see more ads.
A Facebook spokesperson told The Huffington Post that the company does not comment on rumors or speculation.
"I view it as a logical next step for them," said Danielle Levitas, senior consumer technology analyst at IDC, a market research and analysis firm. "To me, it's a place where multiple genres of media and content can come together in a trusted fashion."
"They have to do everything and anything that drives engagement and ultimately delights some subset of their users," added Levitas. She noted, however, that a news feature may not appeal universally.
Mark Zuckerberg has for months said that Facebook is investing heavily in improving its mobile experience, not only for Facebook users but also for its advertisers. The company brought in more than 30 percent of its $1.46 billion in revenue from mobile devices last quarter -- up from 23 percent the previous quarter.
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