Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Incorporating Unique Ideas and Insights for Increased ROI

Kazuki

Hatched by Kazuki

Jul 31, 2023

4 min read

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Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Incorporating Unique Ideas and Insights for Increased ROI

Introduction: The Importance of a Better Reading Experience

The act of reading online encompasses various behaviors, from choosing what to read to the actual act of reading and what we do with the knowledge afterward. As avid users of read-it-later apps like Pocket, my co-founder Rob Mackenzie and I realized that the first generation of these apps lacked certain smart features. They were missing prioritization, resurfacing, and decay capabilities, which are essential for a better reading experience.

Focusing on Needs that Won't Change

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, emphasizes the significance of focusing on needs that won't change. In the context of reading online, we can apply this concept to the fact that the supply of great content will continue to rise, attention will always be scarce, and making informed decisions about what to read will remain crucial.

Elevating Writers and Good Curation

Trust plays a vital role in deciding what to read, and people tend to trust other people. At Matter, we made the deliberate decision to elevate writers as first-class citizens in our system. Good curation is incredibly valuable, as it helps us discover hidden gems that engagement-based algorithms often overlook. By prioritizing quality writers and thoughtful curation, we can enhance the overall reading experience.

Balancing the Bias Towards New Content

While staying updated with the latest news is important, we believe the bias towards new content is too strong. In reality, only a fraction of the best content ever produced was written in the past week. Therefore, at Matter, we aim to serve as a counterweight by delivering relevant and manageable content that includes both new and timeless pieces.

Improving the Reading Experience Across Platforms

Email inboxes are not ideal for reading, as most people want to quickly go through their emails rather than spending more time there. To address this, we have incorporated features like audio highlights, which allow users to highlight sections while listening without opening their phones. This enhances the reading experience, especially for those who prefer audio consumption.

Additionally, we have introduced minimaps, inspired by video games and code editors. By implementing a two-finger tap feature, users can access a miniaturized version of an article, enabling them to scan headers and navigate quickly. This feature is particularly useful on mobile devices and is expected to enhance the desktop web experience as well.

Targeting Active Readers for Increased ROI

Our core users, whom we refer to as "active" readers, are intentional about what they read and actively curate their information diets. They often have favorite writers, subscribe to newsletters, and frequent obscure blogs. By catering to these active readers, our goal is to maximize the return on investment (ROI) of their reading time. We want to provide them with more insight, knowledge, and a thrilling reading experience.

Conclusion: Actionable Advice for a Better Reading Experience

To ensure a better reading experience, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

  • 1. Prioritize quality over quantity: Instead of being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new content, focus on finding high-quality writers and curators who can guide you towards meaningful and valuable pieces.
  • 2. Embrace diverse content: Don't limit yourself to the latest news or popular articles. Explore older, timeless content as well, as it often contains valuable insights that can still be relevant today.
  • 3. Utilize smart reading tools: Take advantage of features like audio highlights and minimaps to enhance your reading experience on various platforms. These tools can help you engage with content more effectively and efficiently.

By incorporating these strategies into your reading habits, you can design a better reading experience for yourself and make the most out of the time you invest in reading.

In conclusion, creating a better reading experience involves considering the needs of readers, elevating writers, balancing bias towards new content, and incorporating smart reading tools. By focusing on these aspects, we can enhance the overall reading experience and increase the ROI of our reading time. So, whether you're using Matter or any other platform, remember to prioritize quality, embrace diversity, and utilize smart tools for a more fulfilling and enriching reading experience.

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