Content

Content includes all web content: text, image, audio, and video. It is central to SEO and user satisfaction because it answers search queries and triggers actions. Paid content costs, user-generated content is difficult to control.

Content is an essential component of the internet, as it comprises all (editorial) content found on websites, online shops, and portals. Specifically, the term content encompasses the forms of text, image, audio, and video. Additionally, there are other forms such as paid content (paid digital content) and user-generated content (content produced by users themselves).

Content, the key to a satisfied reader

Since a large portion of internet users access websites, online shops, and portals through search engines like Google (certainly when looking for something unfamiliar), providers must be listed in the search results (SERPs). This depends on certain requirements—ranking factors—in which content plays a crucial role: Certain keywords (search terms) are processed within in such a way that the offering (website, online shop) and demand (user's search query) match as best as possible. Depending on the type of web offering, the internet user should be prompted after their visit to make a contact request, request an offer, make a purchase, feel informed, or entertained.

Different forms, different issues

The fundamental challenge with content—whether it's text, image, or video—is that it not only has to be new and original, but it should also be precisely tailored to the needs of the target audience. Additionally, there are various difficulties that the respective forms bring with them.

Contenu payant

In contrast to print and TV media, the consumption of content (e.g., news) on the internet is free because online media are generally financed, among other things, through advertising revenue. However, since not all online editorial teams can sustain themselves with this financing method, and online content does not (and should not) necessarily show less quality compared to their offline counterparts, some publishing houses are trying to introduce so-called "paid content" where readers can subscribe online to read certain content (in full) on the web. The challenge here is to retain readers despite the costs, as there are particularly many free alternatives in this segment.

Inhalt, der von Benutzern erstellt wird

Behind this term are contents that are created by users themselves – in print form, it would be comparable to the "reader reporter." User-generated content can appear in the form of comments, reviews, or product evaluations, among other things. They primarily serve to allow internet users to form their own opinions about travel, products, or services within the purchase/decision-making process, providing an informative basis outside of company-owned content. The problem with user-generated content: Companies and marketing experts have discovered this form of "word-of-mouth" for their purposes and attempt to motivate consumers to provide reviews, comments, and product recommendations – through email reminders to leave a review or via product testing and similar methods.