Online Journalism News

US news sites' comments to be connected with user's social networks

Posted: 28/11/07 By: Laura Oliver

Email this story | Comments

User-generated media company Pluck will help online news providers tap into new audiences on social networks, like Facebook, by automatically updating the profiles of readers that leave comments on news stories.

Readers leaving comments on news sites using Pluck's SiteLife technology - like The Washington Post and Economist.com - will be given the option of having notification of their comment appear automatically on the profile pages of certain social network sites.

The system will start on Facebook in the early part of next year and with OpenSocial by the middle of 2008, Pluck stated.

The development will mean some of the largest news websites in the US and beyond will deepen further their links into social networking sites.

Gannett, which publishes USAToday, and Reuters will also see their content connected to social networking sites in this way.

In addition, the initial partnership between Pluck and Facebook will add story recommendations and ratings to readers' profiles.

"We believe audiences moving back and forth between sites will prove to be a win-win for traditional media companies and social networks," said Dave Panos, CEO of Pluck.

Connecting social networks with the online 'social participation' of a site's readers can attract new audiences to content, added Peter Lundquist, vice president of content and product development at Gannett Digital.

"Integrating the value of our timely and trusted news content and the social media contributions generated by our readership with social networking audiences represents the future of media on the web," he said.

Got a story? Email our news team: Laura Oliver; Judith Townend or telephone +44 (0)1273 384290. You can also follow us on Twitter: @journalismnews / @LauraOliver / @JTownend.