"Organizing Trustworthy Information: The Future of Curation"

"Organizing Trustworthy Information: The Future of Curation"

In today's world, where information is abundant, it is not enough to simply organize information. The focus has shifted towards organizing trustworthy information. As platforms monetize through ads, they often prioritize featuring advertisers, leading to ethical concerns and trust gaps. This shift in focus calls for curators who can ensure high-quality, reliable content. However, the conversation around curation has predominantly centered on content rather than its structure. To address this, searchable, human-curated interfaces are emerging as a solution, enabling a transition from time-bound feeds to contextual, high-signal, and trustworthy knowledge spaces.

Taking a closer look at the impact of curation, let's examine Netflix as a case study for effective curation strategies in 2020. Netflix has successfully implemented the GLEe Model, which stands for "Get Big, Lead, and Expand." This model encourages product leaders to think long-term and aim for substantial growth. Additionally, the DHM Model, which focuses on delighting customers in hard-to-copy, margin-enhancing ways, outlines four key strategies for Netflix: personalization, original content, a better watching experience, and interactive storytelling. These strategies have played a significant role in Netflix's success.

To further analyze Netflix's growth, engagement, and monetization, the company employs the GEM Model. This model prioritizes growth through year-over-year member growth, monetization through lifetime value, and engagement through monthly retention rates. Interestingly, the lifetime value metric ($290) highlights the importance of retaining customers for extended periods.

However, measuring retention can be challenging. To address this issue, Netflix's product team utilizes the SMT Lockup approach, which stands for Strategy, Metrics, and Tactic/Project. Since retention is difficult to influence directly, the team relies on a proxy metric - the percentage of members who watch at least 40 hours per month. This metric serves as a sensitive indicator of engagement and retention.

Drawing from these insights, we can extract actionable advice for curators and product leaders:

1. Prioritize trustworthiness in curation: In the age of misinformation, focusing on curating trustworthy content is vital. Strive to feature reliable sources and ensure content is fact-checked and verified.

2. Embrace long-term thinking: Following the GLEe Model, product leaders should think big and plan for sustainable growth. Consider how your product can evolve and expand over time.

3. Enhance user experience through personalization: Personalization has been a key driver of success for Netflix. Explore ways to tailor content and experiences to individual users, creating a more engaging and satisfying user journey.

In conclusion, the future of curation lies in organizing trustworthy information. As platforms prioritize monetization, curators play a crucial role in bridging the trust gaps. By adopting human-curated interfaces and focusing on both content and structure, we can move towards high-signal, reliable knowledge spaces. Taking inspiration from Netflix's successful strategies, product leaders and curators can prioritize long-term thinking, delight customers through unique offerings, and leverage proxy metrics to gauge engagement. With these actionable insights, we can navigate the evolving landscape of curation and ensure the delivery of valuable, trustworthy information to users.