After the demise of Artifact, the news aggregation app created by Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, it seemed like all hope was lost. However, Yahoo swooped in and purchased Artifact in April, breathing new life into the failing platform. Instead of letting it fade into obscurity, Yahoo decided to integrate Artifact’s architecture into a brand-new Yahoo News app.
The new Yahoo News app offers users an AI-powered personalized news feed based on their interests. Additionally, a feature called Key Takeaways provides readers with a concise summary of articles for those who are short on time. With Top Stories, users can stay up-to-date on trending news stories, with the added bonus of key takeaway summaries in the near future. Users also have the ability to block stories containing undesirable keywords and filter out specific publishers to tailor their news experience. Similar to Artifact, Yahoo News allows users to flag clickbaity headlines, which are then rewritten by AI for clarity.
While Yahoo hasn’t fully resurrected Artifact’s social media aspects, the new app does allow users to share article excerpts with friends. Additionally, the app features a gamified “streak” system and badges for avid readers to showcase their dedication. Furthermore, Yahoo is implementing some of the News app’s features onto the Yahoo News online homepage, offering a new layout that highlights top news, personalized recommendations, and trending topics. Users have the option to opt-in to the new homepage experience.
With the integration of Artifact’s technology and Yahoo’s innovative approach, the Yahoo News app is poised for success in the competitive world of news aggregation. By combining AI-powered personalization with user-friendly features, Yahoo has created a platform that caters to the needs of modern news consumers. As the app continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how it shapes the future of news consumption online.
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