The new Yahoo Contributor Network has been launched to give Internet users a new platform from which to publish their creative content.
This is a bigger deal than you may think. At first glance, it looks like a cheezy way for Yahoo to get some new traffic. The promise of grandeur to young creative types. But it’s way more than that. This is the democratization of the news. This is utilizing the work of young freelance and professional writers, photographers and videographers to create unique and new news offerings.
No longer will Yahoo be a simple aggregate content provider. They’re looking to get in the news game itself – and to do so on the cheap. But Yahoo will pay content creators for their work. Assumedly based on the popularity of the content, and the advertising revenue they earn through its ownership. And this work will end up throughout the Yahoo network, including Yahoo News, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo Sports and more.
Expect the next round of “real” journalist fired from the New York Times to blame Yahoo, and then start creating content for their new Contributor Network.