📖 Matter: Revolutionizing Content Discovery and Consumption

📖 Matter: Revolutionizing Content Discovery and Consumption

In the digital age, where information overload is a constant struggle, finding valuable and engaging content can be a daunting task. Ben Springwater and Robert Mackenzie, former colleagues at Nextdoor, recognized the need for a platform that would improve the visibility of indie authors and provide a curated reading experience. Although their initial project, Tiny Bookstore, didn't come to fruition, they channeled their shared passion for reading and frustration with the limitations of existing reading apps into a new venture called Matter.

One of the key insights that Ben and Rob discovered was that the previous generation of content consumption and discovery apps centered around RSS feeds. While RSS feeds may have provided a convenient way to aggregate content, they failed to prioritize the "who" behind the content. They realized that the emphasis should be on the readers and their recommendations, rather than simply the source of the content.

To address this gap, Matter built a network of readers who could curate content and provide social context around their recommendations. They tested their concept with a roundup newsletter, featuring content recommendations from public thinkers on Twitter. This experiment confirmed their hypothesis that the best content on the internet is not necessarily the most recent, and that the collective impact of individual reading choices is significant.

Trust in recommendations emerged as a crucial factor in improving content filters and information diets. People save more content than they can consume, and the highly-curated recommendations feed became the cornerstone of Matter's platform. By building an interest graph and focusing on power readers who are actively engaged in the world of ideas, Matter created a community of users with shared interests and affinity towards specific themes.

To attract early adopters, Ben and Rob approached three large online communities: the Interintellect, Progress Studies, and the Long Now Foundation. These communities offered a ready-made pool of users who were already interested in intellectual discourse and seeking valuable content. By collaborating with the leaders of these communities, Matter gained access to their members and provided them with early access to curated content.

Matter's approach to content curation differs from traditional methods. Instead of following publications, users follow individual authors across the web. This allows for a more personalized and diverse reading experience, as it focuses on the people behind the content rather than the platforms they publish on. Additionally, Matter incorporates a social graph of highlights, enabling users to discover and follow what their favorite authors find interesting.

Measuring the quality of content is a challenge, but Matter strives to surface insightful pieces that challenge users' worldviews and come from obscure sources. Instead of relying solely on popularity or mainstream recognition, Matter values insights, information density, and the author as proxies for high-quality content. The ultimate goal is to provide users with content they wouldn't have otherwise discovered, expanding their horizons and enriching their reading experience.

In the realm of SaaS (Software as a Service), user engagement is a crucial metric for success. The Daily Active Users (DAU) to Monthly Active Users (MAU) ratio, also known as stickiness, measures how frequently users engage with an app. A high DAU/MAU ratio indicates that users return to the app and use it on a daily basis, while a low ratio suggests less frequent engagement.

Typically, SaaS companies aim for a DAU/MAU ratio between 10-20%. This range is considered average, although what constitutes a "good" ratio depends on various factors such as the app medium and whether the app is free or paid. A higher ratio indicates greater stickiness and customer loyalty, which are desirable qualities for any SaaS business.

In conclusion, Matter's innovative approach to content discovery and consumption addresses the limitations of traditional RSS-centered apps. By focusing on the readers and their recommendations, Matter creates a community of power readers who curate valuable and diverse content. The platform's emphasis on trust in recommendations and surfacing insightful pieces challenges users' worldviews and expands their intellectual horizons.

To make the most of Matter's platform and enhance your reading experience, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace the power of recommendations: Trust the recommendations of fellow readers and explore content that challenges your existing beliefs. By broadening your reading choices, you can gain new insights and expand your knowledge.

2. Curate your own feed: Instead of relying solely on publications, follow individual authors across the web. This allows for a more personalized and diverse reading experience, tailored to your specific interests and preferences.

3. Engage with the community: Participate actively in the Matter community by sharing your own recommendations and engaging in discussions with like-minded readers. By contributing to the collective knowledge and fostering intellectual discourse, you can make the most of the platform's social features.

In a world inundated with information, Matter stands out as a platform that empowers readers and enhances their content discovery and consumption journey. By prioritizing the "who" behind the content and fostering a community of power readers, Matter revolutionizes the way we read and engage with ideas in the digital age.