What is the ‘Deeply read’ list?

What is the ‘Deeply Read’ list?

The Guardian has long monitored how readers engage with our content over time. While click counts offer insights into an article’s potential reach or relevance, they don’t fully capture the depth of its influence. To better reflect the value of our journalism, we now highlight stories that sustain readers’ attention beyond mere visibility.

Previously, the site relied on “Most viewed” lists to showcase popular content. These metrics, though useful, often prioritize widely known topics and overlook nuanced, in-depth pieces that resonate more slowly. The new “Deeply Read” list addresses this gap by focusing on the time spent with each article, revealing a broader spectrum of stories that engage readers meaningfully.

We hope you enjoy the increased variety and depth of the pieces you find here.

This list appears on regional home pages, tailored to reflect the interests of local audiences. It’s designed to showcase a range of subjects, lengths, and formats, ensuring readers encounter content that holds their focus. By comparing engagement duration with article length, we create a dynamic metric that rewards quality and thoughtful reading.