Some pre-transfer window reading re: media lies

[Geng]

Something for the more excitable/naive/daft posters on here.

This is about BleacherReport, but they could also be talking about goal.com, caughtoffside, and many others.

The key point is that these sites create 'news' they know people will want to read - rather than reporting news that is actually based on reality.

So just remember this next time you are about to jizz yourself over a goal.com link on Jan 2 saying 'REDKNAPP IN FOR FIVE TRIFFIC TOP TOP PLAYERS'

http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2012/12/03/tell-me-why-no-one-seems-to-care-whether-what-they-read-is-true031201/

[Geng]

For anyone too lazy to read:

A lot of the writing’s rubbish but that doesn’t matter. It’s all about getting those pieces right to the top of Google’s search engines and Bleacher’s assiduous use of search engine optimisation (SEO) enables them to do that.
The company employs an entire analytics team, scouring reams and reams of data to establish who wants to reads what and when. It’s made-to-order news, written on subjects people are searching for. Or, “reverse engineering content,” as Eskenazi calls it.
A former editor of the site tells him: “The analytics team basically says, ‘Hey, we think this is going to be trending – these eight to 10 terms will be trending in the next couple of days. We say thank you and we as editors come up with the headlines and pass those onto the writers to write the content.”
The data crunchers also calculate the best time to post certain stories. The headline is king and it clearly doesn’t matter what lies within.

So when every QPR fan in the world starts googling "QPR striker signing rumour" over Christmas and early Jan, sites like Bleacher and caughtoffside provide some crap for them to read.

They don't have journalists speaking to players, agents and managers. They just make up some nonsense that fits perfectly into what they've figured out people want to read, eg "ARRY'S TOP 5 STRIKER TARGETS". And they'll get their precious hits.

[Norths]

I never use any of them sites. The only one I do, if i want a bit of transfer gossip, is 365.

[brightonr]

For anyone too lazy to read:



So when every QPR fan in the world starts googling "QPR striker signing rumour" over Christmas and early Jan, sites like Bleacher and caughtoffside provide some crap for them to read.

They don't have journalists speaking to players, agents and managers. They just make up some nonsense that fits perfectly into what they've figured out people want to read, eg "ARRY'S TOP 5 STRIKER TARGETS". And they'll get their precious hits.

No different to the average tabloid then.

[zeberdee]

Add to that stories planted by agents: "Barcelona consider swoop for [some terrible player who wants a move]"
Just business again. They make their money from transfers. But the more accurate headline of "Spoilt brat cannot accept he is useless and wants more money" don't help them.
There are only a handful of journalists I bother with like Henry Winter at the Telegraph

[Gtleighsr3]

i only use the Dodinghurst cukoo

[Geng]

Bump for everyone taking every little update on the M'Vila saga as gospel

[Hitman34]

No different to the average tabloid then.

yep, what paper do you buy geng?

[Geng]

This is very relevant in the M'Vila case.

We all know the core facts. He has offers from us, and Rubin. Some other clubs might be interested, but the sources aren't particularly strong.

The guy is deciding between the clubs. The people actually privy to the negotiations - QPR, Rennes, M'Vila and their respective agents - aren't about to let the media know anything unless it is in their interests (ie Rennes letting everyone know about our bid to drive up the price and encourage an auction). So we might have a day where.... nothing happens.

But the interwebs is full of QPR fans frantically googling "QPR M'Vila transfer"

...so stuff gets made up to feed this demand. Stories literally about nothing. "M'Vila busy deciding between two offers. Nothing new to report" isn't very fun. "M'Vila set to sign for QPR/Ruben' is a lot more exciting. "Arsenal make late bid for M'Vila" is even more exciting, as QPR, Arsenal and Ruben fans will all get clicking.

[Geng]

yep, what paper do you buy geng?

Don't really buy papers anymore but generally read the Guardian and Indy online.

If you stick to broadsheets, the transfer stories will generally have at least some vague grounding in fact. Even if the 'fact' is simply than an agent is trying to encourage interest in his player.

What these sites are doing is worse. Though the Mail's content farming essentially does the same thing, but by nicking stories rather than creating them.

[Geng]

yep, what paper do you buy geng?

Plus a guy who has spent 38 pages and counting repeating every random tweet out there as gospel really shouldn't be acting cynical about these things! Most of the tweets you have been posting up are just the twitter feeds of these sort of sites (plus thesource who is just a massive charlatan)

[QPRDave]

Any need for you to call fellow Rs TARDS?...

[QprSinceBirth]

Any need for you to call fellow Rs TARDS?...

.

[Geng]

Yeah fair enough, edited.

[Hitman34]

Plus a guy who has spent 38 pages and counting repeating every random tweet out there as gospel really shouldn't be acting cynical about these things! Most of the tweets you have been posting up are just the twitter feeds of these sort of sites (plus thesource who is just a massive charlatan)

you say you read the guardian.

funny that as i posted the latest story about mvila on my twitter thread which so happen's to be from...................................


The Russian Premier League club Rubin Kazan, who are subject of a transfer embargo, are challenging Queens Park Rangers for the signature of the France international Yann M'Vila this month. Rennes have confirmed they expect the 22-year-old to leave before the end of January, though Rubin, who have agreed a four-year contract with the midfielder, must receive domestic clearance to make the signing.

The former Russian champions are not permitted to buy players in this window due to unpaid debts to their former player Roman Adamov, but are due to meet the Russian Football Union this week to discuss the embargo.

That has offered QPR hope they can revive a £9m deal for M'Vila – Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring his situation – with the Premier League's bottom club also considering a move for his compatriot Florent Malouda at Chelsea.