Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Insights and Advice for Readers

Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Insights and Advice for Readers

In today's digital age, the way we read online has evolved into a multi-step process. It begins with deciding what to read, followed by the act of reading itself, and culminates in what we do with the knowledge we gain. As avid readers, both my co-founder Rob Mackenzie and I were top users of Pocket, a read-it-later app, for many years. However, we realized that the first generation of such apps lacked certain essential features, such as prioritization, resurfacing, and decay. This led us to create Matter, a platform aimed at designing a better reading experience.

One of the key insights we gained from our own experience and observation is the importance of focusing on needs that won't change. As Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, once mentioned, customers will always want faster delivery. Similarly, we believe that the supply of great content will continue to increase, attention will remain scarce, and the value of making good decisions about what to read will only grow over time. This insight drives our commitment to constantly improve our platform and cater to the needs of readers.

Trust plays a vital role in the decision-making process of what to read. People trust other people, particularly writers whose expertise and credibility they respect. Recognizing this, we made a deliberate choice to elevate writers as first-class citizens in our system. We believe that good curation, especially in unearthing hidden gems that are often overlooked by engagement-based algorithms, adds tremendous value to the reading experience.

Another aspect we considered was the bias towards new content in our information consumption. Social media platforms are dominated by the latest news, but we firmly believe that some of the best content ever written or produced was not created in the past week. While staying updated is important, we believe that this bias towards new content is too strong. Thus, we designed Matter to serve as a counterweight, providing readers with access to timeless and thought-provoking articles from various sources.

In our quest to create a better reading experience, we also recognized the need to improve the delivery of content. Newsletters have gained popularity in recent years, but the traditional email inbox is not ideal for reading. Most people aim to quickly get through their inbox, rather than spend more time there. To address this, we have integrated highly reliable parsing techniques, including natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision, to enhance the user experience. These advanced techniques ensure accurate and efficient content delivery.

Furthermore, we acknowledge the rise of audio as a prominent mode of content consumption. With the increasing convenience of audio hardware, people are dedicating more time to listening. To cater to this trend, we introduced a feature called "audio highlights," which allows users to highlight key points while they listen, without the need to open their phones. This feature enhances the accessibility and usability of our platform.

In terms of design, we have implemented various features to enhance the reading experience. For instance, we have incorporated minimaps, inspired by video games and code editors, to provide users with a quick overview of an article. By simply tapping on the screen, users can scan headers and navigate through the content more efficiently. This feature has proven particularly useful on mobile devices and will be further optimized for desktop web usage.

Our core users often fall into the category of "active" readers. They are intentional about their reading choices and actively curate their information diets. They have favorite writers and subscribe to newsletters or frequent obscure blogs. Understanding the preferences and behaviors of these readers allows us to tailor our platform to their needs and increase the return on investment (ROI) of their reading activities. We strive to provide readers with more insight, knowledge, and even thrill as they invest their time in reading.

Drawing from our experience and observations, here are three actionable pieces of advice for readers:

1. Make friends over the internet with people who excel in areas you're interested in. The internet offers unparalleled opportunities for connection and learning. Leverage it to expand your knowledge and network.

2. Go deep on multiple subjects. Become an expert in at least one area, but also explore various topics. This will provide you with a broader perspective and a well-rounded understanding of the world.

3. Read voraciously. Don't limit yourself to the views and opinions of your immediate peer group. Seek out diverse sources and challenge your own beliefs. Developing your own worldview is crucial for personal growth and intellectual development.

In conclusion, designing a better reading experience requires careful consideration of various factors, including prioritization, trust, content delivery, and user experience. By focusing on the needs that won't change, elevating writers, and providing a counterbalance to the bias towards new content, platforms like Matter aim to improve the ROI of reading. Incorporating advanced parsing techniques, embracing audio consumption, and implementing innovative design features further enhance the overall reading experience. As readers, we should actively seek out knowledge, connect with experts, and continuously expand our horizons. By doing so, we can make the most of the digital age and truly immerse ourselves in the joy of reading.