15 Ways publishing lost self-respect in 2013

We recently wrote the optimist’s take on the state of publishing based on what happened in the past year. In the interest of fairness, the following are signs that publishing is going to hell in a hand basket. Hold on tight.

1. This webpage has 90 ad units.
cafemomoutbrain

2.This became a ubiquitous ad tactic.
forbeswelcome

3. This piece got 1.3 million pageviews.
tbi

4. This slideshow got almost 400,000 views.
bislideshow

5. This sponsored content.
atlanticscientology

6. This presentation was viewed 400,000 times.

Screen Shot 2013-12-19 at 8.37.25 AM

7. This was an actual headline in a publication that gets 47 million monthly unique visitors.
elitedaily

8. This story actually ran and was “recommended” 25,000 times.
huffpogay

9. This explained the Egyptian revolution.
egyptbuzzfeed

10. This chart.
tbinewsroom

11. And this one.
viralfb

12. This ad placement.
nissan

13. This service exists.
maxvisits

14. This is an SEO tactic.
VelveetaFOD

15. This article was untrue but got 1.5 million pageviews.
epicnote

 

16. (Bonus) This 125-word listicle.

Screen Shot 2013-12-19 at 10.39.18 AM

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