The demise of the Southwest Journal might have left many assuming it was dead and buried, but appearances can be deceiving. While the beloved news outlet that covered the ins and outs of southwest Minneapolis from 1990 through 2020 did indeed shut down, its legacy lives on in an unexpected way. If you visit the Southwest Journal’s old website today, you’ll find a surprising array of new stories hidden beneath the familiar banner, though the content has taken a drastic shift. From the 13 tallest buildings in NYC to the 15 most dangerous fish in the world, the Southwest Journal has transformed into a clickbait empire.
The current owner, Nebojša Vujinović Vujo, a millennial father from Belgrade, Serbia, purchased the domain and rebuilt the website from scratch. In a recent interview, Vujo revealed that only about 1% of the content now relates to Minnesota. Instead, the majority of the articles are designed to attract traffic from search engines and generate revenue from programmatic advertising. It’s a business model that Vujo has mastered, acquiring defunct websites and populating them with click-worthy articles.
While Vujo admits the quality of the content may not be top-notch, he insists that his main goal is not just monetary gain. He thrives on the idea of millions of people reading his articles every day. However, not everyone is thrilled with the new direction of the Southwest Journal. Zac Farber, the former editor, expresses disappointment at the loss of the original site’s archives and the attribution of articles to fictional bylines. Farber laments the absence of safeguards against such “civic vandalism.”
Vujo, on the other hand, sees himself as a driver of the technological revolution in content creation. He compares the rise of AI writing to the advent of cars, acknowledging the flaws but accepting their place in the world. He also extends an invitation to Twin Cities readers who wish to revive the nostalgia of the Southwest Journal. Vujo is open to leasing out a vertical on SouthwestJournal.com dedicated to news about southwest Minneapolis.
The story of the Southwest Journal’s resurrection is a testament to the evolving landscape of online media and the opportunities it presents. While the sentimental value of the original publication may be lost, the new incarnation showcases the power of adapting to changing trends and finding success in unconventional ways.
An FAQ section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
Q: What happened to the Southwest Journal?
A: The Southwest Journal shut down in 2020, but its website has been revived with new content.
Q: Who currently owns the Southwest Journal?
A: The current owner is Nebojša Vujinović Vujo, a millennial father from Belgrade, Serbia.
Q: What type of content does the new Southwest Journal feature?
A: The majority of the articles are click-worthy and designed to attract traffic from search engines. They cover a variety of topics, such as the tallest buildings in NYC and the most dangerous fish in the world.
Q: Why did the owner change the content focus of the Southwest Journal?
A: The owner aims to generate revenue from programmatic advertising and has found success in acquiring and reviving defunct websites with new content.
Q: What is the former editor’s opinion on the new direction of the Southwest Journal?
A: Zac Farber, the former editor, expresses disappointment in the loss of the original site’s archives and the attribution of articles to fictional bylines. He refers to it as “civic vandalism.”
Q: How does the owner view his role in the technological revolution of content creation?
A: The owner sees himself as a driver of the technological revolution, comparing the rise of AI writing to the advent of cars. He acknowledges the flaws but accepts their place in the world.
Q: Is the owner open to incorporating news about southwest Minneapolis on the website?
A: Yes, the owner is open to leasing out a vertical on SouthwestJournal.com dedicated to news about southwest Minneapolis.
Definitions for key terms or jargon used within the article:
– Clickbait: Content that is designed to attract attention and encourage users to click on it, often with sensational or misleading headlines.
– Programmatic advertising: Automated buying and selling of online advertising space, usually through algorithms that target specific audiences based on various data points.
– Revive: In this context, it means to bring something back to life or restore its operation after a period of inactivity or shutdown.
– Defunct: No longer in effect or operation; inactive or discontinued.
– Nostalgia: A sentimental longing or affection for the past.
Suggested related links to main domain:
Southwest Journal
The source of the article is from the blog agogs.sk