Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Weekly Dose of Optimism

Designing a better reading experience with Matter: Weekly Dose of Optimism

In a world where reading online has become a common practice, it's important to consider the different aspects of this behavior. From deciding what to read, to the actual act of reading, and what we do with the knowledge afterwards, there are various elements that contribute to our overall reading experience.

As avid users of read-it-later apps, my co-founder Rob Mackenzie and I understood the importance of these tools. However, we noticed that the first generation of read-it-later apps lacked certain features that could enhance the reading experience. For instance, they didn't offer assistance with prioritization, resurfacing, or decay. This led us to create Matter, an app that aimed to address these shortcomings and provide a better reading experience.

One important principle we embraced in the development of Matter was the idea of focusing on needs that won't change. This concept, emphasized by Jeff Bezos, resonated with us. We recognized that in the future, as in the present, customers will always value faster delivery. Similarly, we understood that the supply of great content will continue to increase, attention will remain scarce, and the ability to make informed decisions about what to read will only become more valuable over time.

Trust is a key factor when it comes to deciding what to read, and people tend to trust other people. With this in mind, we made the decision to elevate writers as first-class citizens in our system. We believed that good curation, especially in uncovering hidden gems, was incredibly valuable in enhancing the reading experience. By placing a strong emphasis on the work of writers, we aimed to provide our users with a curated selection of quality content.

Another aspect we wanted to address was the bias towards new content. While it's important to stay updated with the latest news, we felt that the emphasis on new material was too strong. We recognized that some of the best content ever created was not produced in the past week. Therefore, we designed Matter to serve as a counterweight to this bias, allowing users to discover and engage with older but still relevant content.

Additionally, we realized that the reading experience extends beyond just text. Audio has become increasingly popular as a mode of consumption, and we wanted to cater to this trend. We introduced a feature called "audio highlights" that allows users to highlight and annotate while listening to audio content. This feature aimed to enhance the overall reading experience for those who prefer audio consumption.

Furthermore, we implemented the use of minimaps, inspired by video games and code editors. By incorporating this feature, users can easily scan headers and navigate through articles more efficiently. This feature has been well-received on mobile devices, and we are excited to bring it to the desktop web experience as well.

Our core users, whom we refer to as "active" readers, are intentional about their reading habits. They actively curate their information diets, have favorite writers, and subscribe to newsletters. Our goal with Matter is to increase the return on investment of reading. We want to help people gain more insight, knowledge, and even a sense of thrill from the time they invest in reading.

In conclusion, designing a better reading experience with Matter involves addressing the needs of readers at various stages of the reading process. By prioritizing features such as curation, highlighting, audio integration, and navigational aids, we aim to enhance the overall reading experience for our users. However, it's important to note that the reading experience is subjective, and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, it's crucial to continuously iterate and improve our app based on user feedback.

Actionable Advice:

1. Prioritize your reading: Instead of being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content available, focus on prioritizing what you read. Consider the source, the credibility of the writer, and the relevance of the topic to your interests or goals.
2. Engage with older content: Don't solely rely on the latest news or articles. Explore older, timeless pieces of writing that can provide valuable insights and knowledge. Balance your reading diet between new and evergreen content.
3. Experiment with different modes of consumption: Don't limit yourself to just text-based reading. Explore audio content, podcasts, and other formats that can offer a different perspective and enhance your overall reading experience.

By following these actionable advice, you can optimize your reading experience and make the most out of the time you invest in reading.

Remember, the goal is not just to consume information but to gain insights, knowledge, and even a sense of thrill from the act of reading. With tools like Matter, we can design a better reading experience that caters to the needs and preferences of readers, while also challenging the biases that exist in our information consumption habits.