wiseGEEK has a long history of focusing on our charter: providing clear answers for common questions. Since our start in 2003, we have implemented countless changes to make sure that we remain helpful to our users.
Adapting to the New Environment
The internet has always been a rapidly evolving medium and in 2011, the landscape shifted dramatically. As we mentioned in a previous letter, Google has enacted several unprecedented algorithm changes that have caused us to reevaluate how we operate.
Although our primary focus always has been and always will be on our readers, we have to remain cognizant of our traffic sources; as is the case with many sites, Google search represent one of our primary sources of traffic.
Refocusing Our Efforts
Since the February 2011 algorithm update (and many subsequent changes), we have conducted numerous tests to help understand the new environment. We now have a much better understanding of what our users want. We have already made significant improvements, and we are now preparing to redouble our efforts. Over the next few months, we will stop tackling new questions and instead we will devote all our energy toward enhancing existing articles. In addition to improving our existing answers, we will augment them with videos, images and related resources. Everything we do will be geared toward ensuring the best possible user experience.
New Positions
This shift will create several new roles. We will encourage and give priority to every existing team member to test for these new positions, and we anticipate that we will be able to find roles for most if not all of those who are interested. If necessary, we may need to hire new contributors as well. We have a lot to do, and we are going to need a lot of help.
Though our new vision is immense and we have a lot of work ahead of us, we are excited by the opportunity to roll up our sleeves to make wiseGEEK even better. We regret any disruption this may cause for our team, but we must adapt to the new environment we are in. We are confident that this initiative will ensure that wiseGEEK continues to thrive — for readers and contributors alike.
Despite any rumors to the contrary, wiseGEEK remains profitable. This decision is one of refocusing our resources in a different way; despite any tumult, we intend to serve our readers for a long time to come.
— Posted on 1 December 2011 by Denis, President and Founder of wiseGEEK.
