The announcement that Google users will be limited as to the amount of news articles they can access for free signals a change in the way we will consume online content. Free vs paid for content is currently a big debate with an increasing number of publications opting to include a pay wall for their online material. As previously discussed in Free vs Fee: The Value Factor. This concession by Google means that internet users will only be able to access five pages of news a day from a paid-for publication before being asked to register or subscribe.
The internet generation are used to accessing content for free so may baulk at the idea of paying. But online publications aren’t pulling in advertising revenue like they used to so it’s no wonder there is an increase in those looking to charge for material.
However, those charging for content will need to offer something unique. It could be that a two-tier system emerges. Mass market media brands will opt for free content hoping for a large circulation to attract advertisers and other more specialist media will charge hoping that high quality specialist stories will attract subscribers. Whatever happens 2010 will see major changes in online content and the way it becomes available to us, with technology developments allowing us to consume more media content at a faster pace.
