The freedom of information is not a synonym for the decentralization of knowledge. So, what can we do as content creators and readers to support it?
As content becomes easier to access, is the decentralization of knowledge and information paving the way for a more people-powered internet and online space? Are we truly living in an era where we can access information whenever and wherever?
As our online spaces continue to democratize in today’s evolving information age, the scope and potential for knowledge acquisition continue to expand and diversify. There is a need to exercise greater freedom and control over our data and content.
With the decentralization and more disruptive knowledge, knowledge is becoming more accessible and increasingly readily available. Knowledge dissemination and acquisition also continue to change.
Yet, with this new freedom of information, the internet continues to grow more centralized rapidly and streamlined as social media giants and tech behemoths Google and Facebook control a large proportion of knowledge traffic today. These stakeholder groups continue to possess a monopoly over the information we have access to online.
The very notion of an ‘open web’, which has been much discussed over the years, continues to fade. Gone are the days where the Internet was thought to be a purely decentralized network. Commercialization and rapid knowledge dissemination continue to expand the threads of our networks.
In the new so-called ‘’subscription era,’’ the possibility of consuming digital content has become simpler and more accessible. Both platforms that control knowledge traffic and those that are decentralized allow consuming their content through subscriptions, although the background is different in both cases.. Both platforms that control knowledge traffic and those that are decentralized allow consuming their content through subscriptions, although the background is different in both cases..
When the New York Times finally left Apple News, they claimed that the partnership did not align with their belief of ‘’building direct relationships with paying readers.’’ Apple was reportedly keeping half of all subscription revenue from the service, while publishers ended up splitting the rest in accordance with proportional engagement. The New York Times was unable to exercise much control over customers and connect with readers. This is giving rise to a so-called ‘’third party crisis’’ among various centralized platforms such as Apple News.
Companies are unable to forge relationships with their customers as content creators are left in the ‘’darkroom’’ as a result where they merely deliver automated and streamlined content. They cannot channel and seed specialized and exclusive content, subscriptions, and discounts to attract and grow their readership and customer base. When digital content is usually published, it is published with a large and diverse audience in mind globally. Publishers can expand their readership base exponentially and build a credible following and loyal customer brand.
It is crucial for publishers to know the interests and preferences of their readers and consumers. They are held accountable for their content as they can use metrics and statistics to evaluate its reception. They can work to increase their sales further and provide more quality content when they access to such information.
Many decentralized platforms like Publica are trying to eliminate the problem posed by third-party involvement. Decentralization remains the key to businesses’ success so that companies can customize their content in their own unique ways and generate higher sales. Publica believes in the importance of forging significant and meaningful ties and connections with customers. Publica provides its store owners with readership statistics, viewing rates and user emails (with their permission) in order to generate a sales strategy in line with the brand. This is an opportune moment for independent and up-and-coming publishers who want to grow their networks.
Moreover, the possibility of running sales on the same platform is also revolutionizing the publishing industry, allowing independent indie publishers to be in the driver’s seat as the sole proprietors of their content. This sets up a decentralized chain for the publishing industry where self-publishing is encouraged and authorship rights are safeguarded. In addition, publica.la helps to prevent plagiarism and avoid piracy, as readers do not have to download any files to access digital content.
Hosted platforms today still have the power to regulate and control the information we can access. Promoting more open systems that prioritize the users’ privacy and freedom and the audiences remain crucial such as ownCloud. Such systems encourage self-publishers to put out their own content.
Simply given the diverse pool of content creators and publishers today, it is important to make these knowledge and information platforms more accessible as well as inclusive. EBooks have provided us the opportunity to access niche content by various means. When digital content is published, it is able to reach a diverse audience globally as the distribution possibilities are almost endless online.
Content creators and publishers also now have the added incentive to use this opportunity to grow their business. By monetizing their digital content, they can generate more revenue and sales. As a result, it is important to diversify and bet on different publishing platforms. With platforms such as Publica, publishers can sell their content easily and flexibly by setting up their own accounts and selling their content with no intermediaries to a large and diverse audience using the website. As a Publica user, they will not incur any stock limitations or any further costs while doing so.
There are many different platforms that allow better distribution of a wide and diverse variety of content, whether books, videos, images or any other type of format. These will continue to prove to be game-changers when it comes to sharing and acquiring content today as our online spaces continue to expand and grow increasingly more complex. They seem to offer a host of opportunities to both content creators and customers today.
The ideal of the decentralization of knowledge today does not mean completely doing away with tech companies and platforms, but rethinking and reconfiguring how we perceive them today. It involves us, as audiences, going the extra mile in understanding how and why we obtain our content and information. As content producers, we take into account what our audiences' concerns and needs are.
Perhaps, for the sake of knowledge and autonomy, a decentralized web might be exactly the need of the hour where we re-evaluate who and what holds power over knowledge and information today.
With all of these new opportunities to view and read content today, take control of your content and join Publica. Sign up for an account today!