BuzzFeed

What is BuzzFeed

BuzzFeed is a digital media company based in New York City, founded in 2006 by Jonah Peretti and John S. Johnson III. It is known for creating and distributing viral content that is popular on social media. The main purpose of BuzzFeed is to provide a wide range of entertaining and informative content to a global audience. This includes news articles, fun quizzes, list-based articles (listicles), and videos. The company has several divisions, including BuzzFeed News for serious journalism, BuzzFeed Entertainment for pop culture, and brands like Tasty for food videos and recipes. Its content is designed to be easily shared, making it a major player in modern internet culture.

BuzzFeed Features

BuzzFeed offers various types of content, each serving as a key feature of the platform.

• News and Journalism: Provides coverage of breaking news, politics, and in-depth investigative reports through its BuzzFeed News division.
• Quizzes: Offers a large collection of interactive personality and trivia quizzes that are fun to take and share with friends.
• Video Content: Produces a wide variety of videos, from short, funny clips to longer documentaries. This includes popular channels like Tasty for food recipes and As/Is for lifestyle content.
• Shopping Recommendations: Features articles that recommend products for purchase. These articles often include links to buy the items, and BuzzFeed earns a commission from sales.
• Lifestyle and Entertainment: Covers topics like celebrity news, movie reviews, DIY projects, travel tips, and personal stories.
• Listicles: Publishes articles in a list format, such as "10 Things You Didn't Know About..." which are easy to read and very popular.

BuzzFeed Pricing Plans

BuzzFeed is a media platform that is free for all users to access. There are no subscription fees or paid plans to read articles, watch videos, or take quizzes. The company makes money primarily through advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing from its shopping articles. Users can browse all content on the website or mobile app without any cost.

BuzzFeed Free Plan

All of BuzzFeed's content is available for free. There is no premium version or a free plan with limitations. Every user has full access to all articles, quizzes, and videos published on the platform. You can create an optional account to save content or follow specific topics, and this is also free of charge.

How to use BuzzFeed

Using BuzzFeed is simple and direct. Here is a typical way to engage with the platform:

1. Visit the Website or App: Open your web browser and go to buzzfeed.com or download the BuzzFeed app on your smartphone.
2. Browse Categories: On the homepage, you will see trending stories. You can also navigate to specific sections like News, Quizzes, Videos, Lifestyle, or Shopping using the main menu.
3. Take a Quiz: Click on the Quizzes section to find a variety of fun quizzes. Answer the questions and get your result, which you can then share on social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
4. Watch Videos: Go to the Videos section to watch content from different BuzzFeed channels. You can find food recipes from Tasty or beauty tips from As/Is.
5. Read Articles: Click on any headline that interests you to read the full article. You can scroll through news stories, listicles, or celebrity updates.
6. Use the Search Bar: If you are looking for something specific, use the search bar at the top of the page to enter keywords.

Pros and Cons of BuzzFeed

Pros

• Wide Variety of Content: Offers something for everyone, from serious news to lighthearted entertainment.
• Highly Entertaining: The quizzes and listicles are engaging and fun.
• Free to Access: All content is available without any subscription fee.
• Up-to-Date: Covers trending topics and viral stories very quickly.
• Excellent Video Production: Channels like Tasty produce high-quality, easy-to-follow videos.

Cons

• Clickbait Titles: Some article headlines can be misleading to attract clicks.
• Many Advertisements: The user experience can be interrupted by a large number of ads.
• Content Quality Varies: While BuzzFeed News has won awards, some other content can be superficial.
• Can Be Overwhelming: The sheer volume of content can make it difficult to find what you are looking for.

BuzzFeed integrations

BuzzFeed does not offer integrations in the way a typical software tool does. As a media company, its primary integration is with social media platforms for content sharing and distribution. Users can easily share articles, quizzes, and videos on platforms such as:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• TikTok

These integrations allow BuzzFeed content to become viral and reach a wider audience.

BuzzFeed Alternatives

• Vice Media: Focuses on more edgy and immersive journalism, often covering topics that mainstream media avoids. It is a good alternative for those who want in-depth documentaries and investigative reports.
• Vox Media: Known for its explanatory journalism. Vox and its network of sites (like The Verge and Eater) break down complex topics in an easy-to-understand way.
• Mashable: A global media company that focuses on technology, digital culture, and entertainment. It is a good alternative for those interested in the intersection of tech and culture.
• Refinery29: A media company that targets young women. It covers topics like fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and current events with a focus on empowering its audience.
• Upworthy: Focuses on positive and uplifting stories with the goal of creating a better world. It is an alternative for readers who want inspiring and feel-good content.

BuzzFeed API

BuzzFeed provides an API for developers and partners, but it is not publicly available for open registration. Access is typically granted to strategic partners for content syndication and other business purposes. To get access, interested developers or companies usually need to contact BuzzFeed's business development or partnership team directly. There is no public developer portal to obtain an API key for free.

An example of what a response from a content API might look like:

{
  "status": "ok",
  "totalResults": 1,
  "articles": [
    {
      "source": {
        "id": "buzzfeed",
        "name": "BuzzFeed"
      },
      "author": "John Doe",
      "title": "15 Pictures That Will Make You Say 'Wow'",
      "description": "A collection of amazing photos from around the world that you need to see.",
      "url": "https://www.buzzfeed.com/johndoe/amazing-pictures",
      "urlToImage": "https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/image.jpg",
      "publishedAt": "2023-10-27T10:00:00Z",
      "content": "Here are 15 pictures that will truly make you say 'wow'. From nature to architecture, these images capture incredible moments..."
    }
  ]
}

BuzzFeed Affiliate program

BuzzFeed has a very successful affiliate program, which is a core part of its business model, especially for its BuzzFeed Shopping and Tasty sections. Instead of a public affiliate program that individuals can join directly, BuzzFeed works through major affiliate networks and establishes direct partnerships with brands and retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and others.

When a reader clicks on a product link in a BuzzFeed article and makes a purchase, BuzzFeed earns a commission. If you are a brand or retailer interested in being featured and partnering with BuzzFeed, you would typically need to reach out to their business development or advertising team to discuss a potential partnership. There is no standard sign-up page for individuals to become a BuzzFeed affiliate.