What is the ‘Deeply read’ list?

What is the ‘Deeply read’ list?

Understanding reader engagement beyond clicks

The Guardian has long monitored how long readers engage with their journalism. Click counts provide insight into popularity, but attention time reveals more about the depth and quality of engagement.

For years, we’ve tracked the time readers dedicate to our articles. While click numbers indicate potential interest, they don’t fully capture the value of a story. The “Most viewed” list, common across many platforms, highlights popular content based on clicks. However, it often overlooks thoughtful journalism that explores less mainstream topics.

Introducing the “Deeply read” list, which uses attention time to showcase a wider variety of articles. This list appears on regional home pages, tailoring recommendations to local reader preferences. A unique metric compares the time spent with the article’s length, ensuring diversity in subject matter, format, and depth.

By prioritizing engagement duration, the list reflects the nuanced interests of audiences. It aims to offer a richer, more varied selection of journalism, balancing popular and niche content for a deeper reading experience.

“The goal is to highlight stories that resonate beyond surface-level interest.”