This week Consequence enters its 17th year of existence.
As probably most other independent publishers can attest, the last year has been a challenging one. I’d argue the most challenging one yet. In the last 12 months, Google rolled out multiple core updates to its algorithm, which has especially impacted small- and medium-tier publishers. Facebook further deprioritized news. Elon wrecked Twitter. And there’s much uncertainty about how the emergence of AI will impact the publishing industry and media consumption going forward. It’s all led to much anxiety and many sleepless nights about the future of this industry and publications such as ours that remains very much unsettled.
And yet through these challenges has emerged many intriguing opportunities. Earlier this year, we began exploring the possibility of establishing a publisher collective with fellow independent brands. While we’re still shaping what exactly this collective will look like, the numerous conversations I’ve already had with the folks behind publications has been inspiring. …