What is the ‘Deeply Read’ list?

For years, The Guardian has tracked how long readers engage with our content. While click counts offer insights into an article’s potential significance or widespread appeal, understanding the time readers invest in a piece provides deeper clues about its impact. This approach helps us measure not just popularity, but also the value of the journalism itself.

Many platforms rely on click data to highlight trending stories, often resulting in a narrow focus on well-known topics. The Guardian’s “Most viewed” list has long served this purpose, showcasing articles that attract the most attention. However, this method can overlook thoughtful reporting on less mainstream subjects.

To address this, we introduced the “Deeply Read” list. This feature surfaces content that readers engage with for extended periods, reflecting a broader spectrum of interests. It is featured on region-specific homepages, tailoring recommendations to local audiences. The list isn’t limited to lengthy pieces—its algorithm balances time spent with the article’s length, ensuring diversity in format and subject matter.

By analyzing attention time relative to content size, the list highlights stories that resonate beyond surface-level interest. This method allows for a richer variety of journalism, emphasizing depth and quality over fleeting visibility. We aim to provide a more nuanced view of what captivates readers, offering a curated selection that spans different themes and styles.