What is the ‘Deeply read’ list?

What is the ‘Deeply read’ list?

For years, The Guardian has focused on analyzing how long readers engage with our journalism. While article clicks provide insight into popularity, they don’t fully capture the depth of reader interaction. To better understand the value of content, we’ve developed a measure that tracks the time readers spend with each piece, offering a clearer view of its impact.

Many platforms, including The Guardian, have long used “Most viewed” lists to highlight popular stories. However, these lists often favor widely shared content, leaving out more specialized journalism that resonates with smaller audiences. The new “Deeply read” list addresses this by emphasizing the time readers invest in articles, showcasing a broader spectrum of work that holds lasting interest.

Unlike traditional lists, the “Deeply read” feature appears on regional home pages, reflecting the unique interests of local readers. It includes articles of varying lengths and formats, ensuring diversity in the stories presented. Our algorithm calculates this by comparing the time spent with the article’s length, allowing for a more balanced representation of quality and engagement.

By prioritizing attention time over clicks, we aim to surface content that offers meaningful depth, even if it’s not the most widely read. This approach highlights pieces that maintain reader focus, whether they’re lengthy features or concise reports. We believe this shift enriches the experience, offering a more varied selection of journalism that aligns with both global and local perspectives.

Ultimately, the goal is to present readers with a more nuanced view of what captures their interest. We hope this list adds value by revealing stories that deserve more than just a passing glance.