In efforts to grow engagement on digital platforms and give some organisation to the wealth of information online, many news outlets offer personalisation features, delivering relevant content to individual users.

This can be based on a number of different factors, such as their location, their interests and in some cases their social media connections.

In this week's podcast we look at a number of different approaches in the news industry to personalisation: from how publisher service Near You Now aims to surface locally-relevant content to how the Financial Times's web app recommends content based on browser history. We also look at the role personalisation plays in interactive content and the selection of content on news reader apps.

We also speak to City University London professor Steve Schifferes about his report from last year on personalisation, which he co-authored with Dr Neil Thurman.

The podcast hears from:
  • Bede McCarthy, group product manager for content, Financial Times
  • Professor Steve Schifferes, director of Financial Journalism MA, City University London
  • Sean Clarke, head of interactives, the Guardian
  • Anthony Sheehan, founder, Near You Now, Xylitic
  • Martin Stoddart, vice president of business development, Zite


You can hear future podcasts by signing up to the Journalism.co.uk iTunes podcast feed.

Free daily newsletter

If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).