Publishers are experiencing a significant decrease in website traffic following a reported algorithm change implemented by Facebook. The apparent adjustment, which took effect in May, has led to a notable decline in visits to media-related websites and news, as reported by various publishers and supported by Echobox's data, a company specializing in managing social media platforms.
The unexpected adjustment in Facebook's algorithm has sparked apprehension among the digital news sector, which heavily depends on the platform to generate website traffic. However, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has not shared any details or offered transparency regarding the algorithm modification. Despite a media outlet's attempt to seek clarification, Meta chose not to provide a response.
Based on insiders familiar with the matter, modifications to Facebook's algorithm were initiated in February and have since intensified. Publishers who heavily rely on Facebook for website traffic have faced significant repercussions, with some witnessing a notable decline in their site visits. Robert Chappell, who holds the position of Executive Editor at a nonprofit news outlet, Madison 365, dedicated to covering Wisconsin communities of color, revealed that Facebook plays a significant role in generating approximately 25 percent of their total website traffic. The ever-changing nature of algorithmic adjustments poses challenges for publishers in terms of future planning and strategizing.
Echobox, a company that gathers data from more than 2,000 publishers across the globe, noticed a decrease in the number of clicks originating from Facebook over a period of approximately one year. However, the decline accelerated notably in May 2023, with a roughly 50% decrease in Facebook's share of website traffic compared to the previous summer. Antoine Amann, CEO of Echobox, explained that Facebook's intention to prioritize video content over news and subsequent algorithmic changes could be contributing factors. Publishers find themselves at the mercy of third-party platforms, where algorithmic modifications beyond their control can significantly impact their performance and revenues.
Employees from various news sites have also noticed a sustained decline in traffic starting in February. The reduced social media traffic has become a major obstacle for news companies, leading to business collapses, bankruptcies, and layoffs. Nicholas Carlson, the Chief Editor at Insider, identified the severed link with Facebook as a major contributor to the decrease in traffic on their websites.
This is not the first time Facebook has made opaque changes with significant consequences for content creators. In 2015, the platform's "pivot to video" misled publishers about the popularity of video content, resulting in a widespread industry shift towards video production, which users ultimately did not engage with as expected.
Publishers now face another blow with the recent algorithm change, affecting the visibility and reach of their content on Facebook. Moreover, the performance of content seems to vary based on the subject matter, as Meta appears to be making editorial decisions by amplifying certain types of news while suppressing others. The algorithm tends to prioritize simple and positive stories over controversial or substantive policy news.
The digital media sector heavily depends on Facebook as a major traffic source, creating an imbalanced relationship. Meta's warning to potentially block news links in California, in response to a proposed bill requiring payment for news content, highlights the power dynamics between the platform and publishers. Although Meta has not enacted a complete block, there is a possibility that the platform could discreetly limit the visibility of news content.
Although Meta is a private company with the freedom to make changes, publishers argue that they deserve communication and transparency. The lack of information and the inability to contact anyone on Facebook or Meta hinders publishers' ability to make strategic adjustments and plan for the future. Despite the significant value publishers provide to Facebook's ecosystem, their concerns about the impact of algorithmic changes remain unaddressed, leaving them uncertain about the fate of their businesses.
Read next: Ranking The Year 2023's Most Innovative Organizations Till Date
The unexpected adjustment in Facebook's algorithm has sparked apprehension among the digital news sector, which heavily depends on the platform to generate website traffic. However, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has not shared any details or offered transparency regarding the algorithm modification. Despite a media outlet's attempt to seek clarification, Meta chose not to provide a response.
Based on insiders familiar with the matter, modifications to Facebook's algorithm were initiated in February and have since intensified. Publishers who heavily rely on Facebook for website traffic have faced significant repercussions, with some witnessing a notable decline in their site visits. Robert Chappell, who holds the position of Executive Editor at a nonprofit news outlet, Madison 365, dedicated to covering Wisconsin communities of color, revealed that Facebook plays a significant role in generating approximately 25 percent of their total website traffic. The ever-changing nature of algorithmic adjustments poses challenges for publishers in terms of future planning and strategizing.
Echobox, a company that gathers data from more than 2,000 publishers across the globe, noticed a decrease in the number of clicks originating from Facebook over a period of approximately one year. However, the decline accelerated notably in May 2023, with a roughly 50% decrease in Facebook's share of website traffic compared to the previous summer. Antoine Amann, CEO of Echobox, explained that Facebook's intention to prioritize video content over news and subsequent algorithmic changes could be contributing factors. Publishers find themselves at the mercy of third-party platforms, where algorithmic modifications beyond their control can significantly impact their performance and revenues.
Employees from various news sites have also noticed a sustained decline in traffic starting in February. The reduced social media traffic has become a major obstacle for news companies, leading to business collapses, bankruptcies, and layoffs. Nicholas Carlson, the Chief Editor at Insider, identified the severed link with Facebook as a major contributor to the decrease in traffic on their websites.
This is not the first time Facebook has made opaque changes with significant consequences for content creators. In 2015, the platform's "pivot to video" misled publishers about the popularity of video content, resulting in a widespread industry shift towards video production, which users ultimately did not engage with as expected.
Publishers now face another blow with the recent algorithm change, affecting the visibility and reach of their content on Facebook. Moreover, the performance of content seems to vary based on the subject matter, as Meta appears to be making editorial decisions by amplifying certain types of news while suppressing others. The algorithm tends to prioritize simple and positive stories over controversial or substantive policy news.
The digital media sector heavily depends on Facebook as a major traffic source, creating an imbalanced relationship. Meta's warning to potentially block news links in California, in response to a proposed bill requiring payment for news content, highlights the power dynamics between the platform and publishers. Although Meta has not enacted a complete block, there is a possibility that the platform could discreetly limit the visibility of news content.
Although Meta is a private company with the freedom to make changes, publishers argue that they deserve communication and transparency. The lack of information and the inability to contact anyone on Facebook or Meta hinders publishers' ability to make strategic adjustments and plan for the future. Despite the significant value publishers provide to Facebook's ecosystem, their concerns about the impact of algorithmic changes remain unaddressed, leaving them uncertain about the fate of their businesses.
Read next: Ranking The Year 2023's Most Innovative Organizations Till Date
