The Next Chapter of Readwise: Our Own Reading App

The Next Chapter of Readwise: Our Own Reading App

In a world where technology has disrupted traditional publishing and distribution models, the experience of reading remains largely unchanged. We still spend hours reading books, only to forget nearly everything we understood in the moment. This begs the question: why doesn't software help us internalize the knowledge we gain from reading?

At Readwise, our mission is to improve the practice of reading through software by an order of magnitude. We have listened to our users and built our own fully-integrated reading app to address the shortcomings of existing reading tools. But why did we decide to build our own app?

The answer is simple: our users have been asking for it. While traditional publishers made billions in revenue last year, the era of reading technology seemed more focused on controlling the distribution of content rather than advancing the practice of reading itself. Kindle, Pocket, Instapaper, Google Reader, and Goodreads were all products of this era, but they didn't truly revolutionize how we read.

Instead of focusing solely on the act of reading, we began Readwise by addressing what happens after you read. Retention is a major issue, akin to a leaky bucket. If you want to get more out of reading, you first need to forget less. Our reading app is built on a local-first foundation, enabling fast and comprehensive search of your entire library. Even if you can only remember a single word, you can find what you're looking for, even offline.

But retention is only part of the puzzle. Content overload is a common problem in today's digital age. We save more things than we can actually get through, turning our digital gardens into digital graveyards. To conquer content overload, our reading app incorporates highlighting as a first-class feature. Unlike other reading apps where highlighting is an afterthought, we believe that writing between the lines is the best way to truly understand and internalize what we read.

However, it's important to note that our goal is not to make reading a social experience. We are not attempting to create an internet-scale annotation layer or turn reading into a social network. Instead, we see immense potential in improving single-player mode. By focusing on enhancing the individual reading experience, we can provide users with a tool that aligns with their workflow and helps them make the most of their reading time.

In building our reading app, we have identified the concept of core actions as vital to user engagement. Every successful product has a core action that forms the foundation of its existence. For Pinterest, it's pinning. For Twitter, it's tweeting. These core actions are what make the product meaningful and drive user engagement. Without users completing the core action, growth becomes empty calories.

While growing the total number of users may feel good initially, it is ultimately unsustainable if the number of users completing the core action does not also grow. A product's momentum will quickly fade if people do not continue to engage with its core features. This is why we have made highlighting a core action in our reading app. By emphasizing this essential feature, we ensure that users are actively engaging with the content they consume.

In conclusion, the next chapter of Readwise is centered around our own reading app. We have listened to the needs of our users and built a tool that addresses the shortcomings of existing reading technology. By improving retention, conquering content overload, and focusing on core actions, we aim to transform the practice of reading and make it a more enriching and impactful experience.

Actionable advice:

1. Prioritize retention: Make a conscious effort to remember and internalize what you read. Take notes, highlight key points, and review them regularly to reinforce your understanding.
2. Conquer content overload: Be selective in what you consume. Don't save more than you can realistically read. Focus on quality over quantity and prioritize the content that aligns with your goals and interests.
3. Engage with core actions: Whatever tool or platform you use for reading, make sure to actively engage with its core features. Whether it's highlighting, annotating, or discussing with others, the more you interact with the content, the more value you'll derive from your reading experience.

By incorporating these practices into your reading routine, you can maximize the benefits of reading and truly make it a transformative activity in your personal and professional life.