7 key publishing trends for 2024

What do we mean by digital publishing and publishing trends?

Digital publishing, aka electronic or online publishing, refers to publishing content in a digital format. This includes a wide range of media: such as e-books, digital magazines, blogs, websites, and online news platforms. It differs from traditional print publications in that the content is distributed electronically and read on a variety of devices (computers, tablets, e-readers, and smartphones). Both digital publishing and traditional publications can be part of companies' multichannel publishing strategy.

Thus, digital publishing is a dynamic field that is constantly evolving due to technological advancements and changing consumer behavior. Publishing trends follow each other in rapid succession. This presents both opportunities and challenges, and the future will undoubtedly bring many more shifts in the landscape of digital content publishing.

Publishing trend 1: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are bigger than ever

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two powerful technologies that are revolutionizing the way we create, distribute, and consume content. These technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for digital publishers to operate more efficiently, personalize content, and achieve higher audience engagement.

AI and ML can speed up and improve the content creation process. With AI-driven tools, writers can quickly access relevant information, get proposals for headlines and paragraphs, and even have entire drafts generated. These technologies can also help find the right tone and style for different audiences, which increases the quality and effectiveness of the content.

For a digital content publisher, editing content is a time-consuming process. AI-powered tools can help detect grammatical errors, style errors, and even plagiarism. This not only speeds up the editing process but also ensures that the final content is of high quality. Additionally, AI systems can analyze patterns and trends in large volumes of text, allowing editors to make more informed decisions about which topics are most relevant and interesting to their audience.

Data analysis is also becoming a lot more efficient with AI and ML. These techniques help to analyze large amounts of data to gain valuable insights about user behavior and content performance. Digital content publishers can use these insights to adjust their content strategies, identify new trends, and better understand what their audience values.

Publishing trend 2: Interactive and immersive content offered more widely

Text and images have long since ceased to be the forms of content that are available. The rise of cutting-edge technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) provides digital publishing with the opportunity to provide their audiences with immersive and in-depth experiences that go far beyond the traditional reading experience.

Imagine reading a historical article about ancient Rome and then being able to take a VR tour through the ruins of this ancient city. Or you can read a travel guide about Paris and thanks to AR technology, you can virtually walk the streets of the French capital, complete with interactive elements and real-time information. These technologies are transforming the way we consume information, by allowing readers to not only read, but actually experience and discover. This increases engagement and makes the content more engaging for your audience.

The integration of AR and VR into digital content means that readers can now do much more than just passively absorb information. Instead of simply scrolling through an article or reading a book, they can participate in an interactive experience that engages multiple senses and fully immerses them in the topic.

Publishing trend 3: Growing popularity of ebooks and audiobooks

Ebooks and audiobooks have dramatically changed the way we read and listen and will continue to do so in 2024. The increasing demand for e-books and audiobooks is driven by a combination of technological advancements, changing reading habits, and the need for convenience and flexibility.

The rise of e-books and audiobooks is also closely linked to the growth of digital libraries and subscription services. Services like Amazon Kindle Unlimited, Scribd, and Apple Books offer unlimited access to a wide range of titles for a flat monthly fee, which lowers the barrier to exploring new books. These platforms make it simple for readers to discover new authors and genres.

For digital content publishing, ebooks and audiobooks also offer new opportunities and challenges. The production and distribution costs of digital books are often lower than those of print books, which can lead to higher profit margins. On the other hand, increasing competition in the digital market requires publishers and authors to become more creative and strategic in their approach to promotion and marketing.

We also see that e-books are becoming more and more interactive – so the publishing trends complement each other. Immersive and interactive content can be applied well in ebooks, digital magazines, and even audiobooks.

Publishing trend 4: Green is better: digital content publishing is becoming more sustainable

Sustainability is a hot topic everywhere and the world of digital content publishing is no different. Publishing trends around sustainability and environmental friendliness follow each other in rapid succession.

One of the most significant changes we're seeing is the move to green hosting. Digital publishers are increasingly opting for hosting services that run on green energy. Instead of traditional data centers that consume a lot of energy and rely on fossil fuels, servers powered by wind, solar or hydro power are now being used. Not only is this good for the environment, but it also shows readers that the publishers are committed to a sustainable future.

But sustainability in digital publishing goes beyond just green hosting. It's also about digital sustainability, which means publishers are more conscious about how they manage and distribute their content. More efficient data compression plays a major role in this. By storing and sending data in a smarter and more compact way, energy consumption is reduced.

A good example of this is optimizing images and videos so that they require less data traffic. By using less energy for the same end result, digital publishers contribute to lower energy consumption and therefore a smaller carbon footprint. That seems like a small measure, but it can result in huge savings at the end of the day.

The driving force behind these changes is not only the desire to be more environment-friendly, but also to respond to the growing consumer demand for sustainable practices. Readers are becoming increasingly aware of their own carbon footprint and appreciate companies that take responsibility for their environmental impact.

Publishing trend 5: Digital content publishers say goodbye to cookies

Cookies, once the secret weapon of digital content publishers, are now slowly but surely disappearing from the scene. At least, that's the expectation. But it is not the first time that this has been predicted and you still come across cookies in many places. However, things really seem to be changing now.

In recent years, there has been an increasing concern about privacy. People have become more aware of how much personal information is being collected and used online. That is why increasingly strict regulations have been introduced, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. These laws give users more control over their data and make it harder for businesses to use cookies without consent.

The trend is now moving towards a cookieless future. Major players such as Google have announced that they will be phasing out third-party cookies in their Chrome browser. This means that the traditional way digital content publishing tracks user behavior has been turned upside down. Without cookies, publishers and advertisers have to find new ways to understand and reach their audience.

The transition to first-party data – information that you collect directly from your users with their consent – is in the starting blocks. Alternative technologies are also emerging, such as contextual advertising. Instead of basing ads on your browsing habits, they are now placed based on the content of the page you're viewing. One thing is clear: this publishing trend is forcing digital publishers to be more transparent and build a trusting relationship with their audience.

Publishing trend 6: Mobile-first becomes the standard

In 2024, everything revolves around mobile – mobile-first has become the norm. You've probably noticed, more and more people are on their phones instead of computers. For publishers, it's super important to put the mobile experience first.

What does that mean? Switch to designs that adapt to any screen size. The pages should load quickly and the interface should be easy to use. The idea is for you to get an experience that feels like an app, but in your browser.

Google says that 53% of people will leave a site if it takes longer than three seconds to load. If ads load slowly or the content shifts, you'll lose half of your visitors before you make any money from them. But if you're too careful with ads, you'll miss out on revenue. So, it's important to first ensure a good user experience and then find the right balance between profit and visitor retention.

In the digital age of 2024, it's more important than ever to make your website mobile-friendly, especially with the number of mobile internet users expected to rise to 6.1 billion by 2028. It's not just about adjusting to screen sizes; It's also important that the content is accessible, customizable, and aligns with readers' preferences. This includes ADA compliance, so that people with disabilities can also use the site properly.

The number of mobile internet users will grow from 5.2 billion to 6.1 billion, and mobile traffic already accounted for almost 60% of web traffic in 2022. That's why it's so important for publishers to make sure their content is mobile-friendly and accessible.

Mobile optimization is all about streamlining content and design. Consistency across devices is important, but optimizing for the mobile user experience is essential. The content should adapt smoothly to different screen sizes and orientations so that it is readable and easy to navigate on your mobile device.

Publishing trend 7: More niche publications

In 2024, you will see more and more niche publications emerging in the digital world. You may have already seen some of them: blogs, websites or online magazines that focus on very specific topics or target groups. But what exactly are niche publications, and why are they becoming increasingly important?

Niche publications are digital platforms that focus on a very specific market or area of interest. Instead of offering generic content like major news websites do, niche publications go deep into a particular topic. Think of a blog that only writes about vintage watches, a website that focuses on vegan baking recipes, or an online magazine for lovers of Scandinavian interior design.

The reason niche publications are becoming so popular in 2024 is because people are increasingly looking for content that truly matches their interests. Instead of scrolling through endless general news articles, they want in-depth information and insights about the things that really excite them. You probably also have specific interests that you want to know more about. Niche publications offer just that: specialized knowledge and a community of like-minded people.

Plus, the internet makes it easier than ever to reach a niche audience. Where you may have previously relied on major media outlets to find your target audience, you can now connect directly with people who appreciate your content with a well-designed website and the right social media strategy. It's a great way for content creators to share their passion and build a loyal following.

Niche publications are also very interesting for companies and advertisers. Because the readers of these publications are so specific and engaged, it is easier to place targeted ads that are truly relevant to the target audience. This often means higher engagement and better results than with broader, less targeted ad campaigns.

Publishing trends continue to change

The world of digital content publishing continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and the publishing trends for 2024 show that adapting is essential. So, whether you're taking your first steps into the world of digital content publishing or you've been in business for years, make sure you stay tuned. One thing's for sure: it's an interesting time to be a digital content publisher.