What is the ‘Deeply read’ list?

What is the ‘Deeply read’ list?

For years, The Guardian has tracked how long readers engage with our journalism. While the number of clicks on an article can signal its popularity or relevance, the time spent on a piece tells us more about its quality and impact. Traditional metrics like ‘Most viewed’ lists, common across many platforms, often highlight articles that attract the most attention, but they may miss deeper, more niche stories that resonate with readers over time.

The ‘Deeply read’ list addresses this by using reader engagement time to surface a broader range of content. It appears on regional homepages, reflecting the interests of local audiences. This approach ensures that stories not just popular but also thoughtfully consumed are given visibility. Not all items on the list are lengthy; instead, a unique metric compares the attention time with the article’s length to balance depth and brevity.

By focusing on this ratio, the list becomes diverse in topics, formats, and lengths. We hope this provides you with a more varied and enriching experience, offering stories that hold readers’ interest beyond initial impressions.