The Case for Curation as a Service

The Case for Curation as a Service

Curators are like life preservers for the web. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with an overwhelming amount of content, curators are there to save us. These individuals are domain experts or have a deep obsession with a particular topic. They possess the ability to sift through the garbage and collect the gems, saving us time and energy.

Good curators are dedicated to their craft. They spend countless hours digging through the web, trying to find the best resources for a given topic. They go beyond just finding the content; they also spend a significant amount of time formatting what they find in a readable manner. The key to good curation is quality, not quantity. It's about finding the most valuable pieces of information and presenting them in a way that is easily digestible for the audience.

Now, you might be thinking that with the vast amount of content available on the web, you can find everything you need on your own. However, a study reveals that what you think you know about the web is wrong. It turns out that most people who click on articles don't actually read them. Shockingly, 55% of visitors spend fewer than 15 seconds actively on a page. Even when we filter for article pages, one in every three visitors spends less than 15 seconds reading the articles they land on.

This data challenges the notion that social shares indicate the amount of reading that takes place. The more you read, the less you tweet. Research has shown that there is no relationship between the number of social shares and the amount of attention an average reader will give to the content. In fact, among the articles tracked with social activity, there were only one tweet and eight Facebook likes for every 100 visitors. Sharing content does not necessarily equate to reading it.

So, what can we do to combat this issue of content overload and lack of engagement? One solution is to embrace curation as a service. By relying on curators who have the expertise and dedication to find the best content, we can save ourselves time and ensure that we are getting high-quality information. Curators are able to filter through the noise and present us with the most relevant and valuable resources on a particular topic.

Incorporating curated content into our lives can have a significant impact. Not only does it save us time and energy, but it also improves our overall experience on the web. Research from the Chartbeat network has shown that if a visitor's attention can be held for just three minutes, they are twice as likely to return compared to visitors who are only engaged for one minute. By consuming curated content, we are more likely to have a meaningful and memorable experience online.

To make the most out of curated content, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Find trusted curators: Seek out curators who have a proven track record and are well-respected in their field. Look for individuals who are passionate about the topics they curate and have a deep understanding of the subject matter. Following trusted curators ensures that you are receiving high-quality content that is relevant to your interests.

2. Diversify your sources: While it's great to have a few go-to curators, it's important to diversify your sources. Different curators have different perspectives and areas of expertise. By following a variety of curators, you can ensure that you are exposed to a wide range of content and viewpoints.

3. Engage with curated content: Don't just passively consume curated content. Engage with it by sharing your thoughts, asking questions, and starting discussions. Curators appreciate feedback and interaction, and it helps to foster a sense of community around the content.

In conclusion, curation as a service offers a valuable solution to the overwhelming amount of content on the web. Curators are able to save us from drowning in information and provide us with the best resources on a given topic. By embracing curated content, we can save time, improve our online experience, and ensure that we are consuming high-quality information. So, the next time you find yourself struggling to navigate the vast sea of content, turn to curators for a lifeline.