The professional obligation of a servant, slave, friend, or companion often leads to spending a lot of time reading websites disguised as media outlets in the fachosphere, even if they are not widely read. The impact of these sites that publish misinformation can be measured by the number of “unique users” as defined by GfK DAM, which is an individual who visits a website within a specific period. This measurement is often done on a monthly basis, making it easy for digital media platforms to inflate their numbers by counting any click as a regular reader.
According to GfK DAM data from November 17, there were 16.8 million unique users for El Español, 15.9 for El País, 15.6 for La Vanguardia, 15.2 for El Mundo, and various other media outlets. However, these numbers seem suspicious when compared with their social media followings on platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where some outlets with fewer followers claim significantly higher numbers of unique readers. This inconsistency raises doubts about the accuracy of the data presented by these digital media platforms.
Proportionally, for every 100 social media followers, El País claims 76 unique users, while El Mundo claims 128. On the other hand, some outlets like El Español and OKDiario claim an implausible number of unique users in relation to their social media following. This discrepancy suggests that these media outlets may be manipulating their audience metrics to appear more successful than they actually are. The prevalence of misinformation within these outlets further complicates the issue of credibility and trustworthiness.
Despite claims of reaching millions of readers, certain digital media platforms like The Objective and El Debate struggle to attract advertisers. This indicates a lack of confidence from companies in the accuracy of their audience data or a reluctance to be associated with certain websites. Additionally, the possibility of purchasing “users” or traffic to artificially boost statistics raises questions about the true reach and influence of these digital media outlets.
The inflated numbers of unique users reported by El Español, and other outlets, raise suspicions about the validity of their audience metrics and success in comparison to established media giants like The Guardian or Le Monde. The discrepancy between social media followings and claimed audience sizes further highlights the need for transparency and accountability in reporting accurate data. The manipulation of audience figures within the digital media landscape has serious implications for the credibility and trustworthiness of information consumed by the public.
In conclusion, the discrepancies in audience metrics among digital media platforms like The Objective, El Debate, and El Español raise questions about their credibility and influence. The potential manipulation of audience data, the lack of advertising, and the ability to purchase “users” all contribute to a complex and opaque digital media landscape. As audiences become more critical of the information they consume, transparency and accuracy in reporting are essential to maintaining trust and credibility in the media industry.
