Rebranding after a difficult period

In October 2023, the organization formerly known as Next INpact rebranded as Next following a challenging time. The team had outlined a set of goals, promises, and commitments during this period. The transition was marked by the acquisition of the site by Ferd, CEO of moji, who committed to providing the necessary resources for the site's revival without interfering with its editorial direction. The purchase was finalized on September 26, 2023.

Shift in business model

The organization previously used a hybrid revenue model that included advertising, mainly through affiliate marketing, subscriptions, and donations. Its most significant decision involved completely eliminating advertising and calls for financial support, based on the belief that the quality of the media and its ability to attract subscriptions would be key to its survival. The pricing structure was simplified to a single option: 8 euros per month or 80 euros per year. This price has remained unchanged, despite an initial plan to raise it to 10 euros per month. A solidarity pricing option at 25 euros per year has since been expanded to include more people, such as those under 25 and those with lower incomes.

Protecting editorial content

The organization also ended its policy of automatically making subscriber-only articles available to the public, in an effort to protect the value of its archives. These articles, which often had significant added value, were intended to prevent them from being used to train large language models.

Growth of the editorial team

The editorial team has continued to grow independently, and now includes eight full-time journalists, including cartoonist Flock, following the addition of Mickaël in the spring. Although Mathilde is planning to move on soon, the organization intends to keep the current team and potentially expand it further. The number of daily publications has increased significantly since 2023, offering a unique content offering in the Francophone media landscape.

Maintaining editorial independence

The editorial direction remains focused on critical and expert analysis of digital, tech, and artificial intelligence, as well as their societal and environmental impacts. The organization also highlights the quality of discussions within its community, noting that they are mostly well-conducted, with moderation becoming less frequent.

Recent developments and collaborations

Several projects have been implemented in recent months, including offering storage as a benefit for subscribers and making improvements to the site's code to ensure stability and reliability. The site has also introduced "gift codes" and redesigned parts of the subscription process, particularly for companies. Next has also been involved in reviving La Presse Libre, a platform that provides access to eight independent media outlets through a single subscription. The platform recently launched a new version of its website, offering a special promotion with a subscription at 12 euros per month with no time limit. Subscribers can also add access to La Presse Libre for an additional 4 euros per month.

Challenges ahead

The organization acknowledges that there is still a long way to go, particularly in improving the visibility of its articles. While it is pleased to have a loyal audience that visits the site independently of recommendation algorithms, the issue of visibility remains crucial. This includes challenges related to Google indexing, social media presence, and the site's ability to allow more efficient navigation through its archives.

Commitment to the agreement

The main challenge is to remain true to the commitments made in the agreement, as such agreements involve two parties. The organization will continue to focus on its primary goal of quality and will report on its progress daily, through comments, at key anniversary dates, or around specific topics. This week, for example, it will publish its charter on the use of generative AI.