The Vergecast Vergecast, 2026 edition
Summary
David Pierce, Nilay Patel, and Helen Havlek discuss The Verge’s new website redesign, which separates social feeds from curated journalism to improve user experience and ad revenue. They address listener questions about the site’s younger demographic, the shift toward a subscription-based business model, and the potential for integrating open social protocols like Bluesky. The hosts also explore how The Verge aims to build a cohesive community amidst industry fragmentation.
Topics discussed
Intro and Ad Breaks
The Verge Website Redesign and New Architecture
Open Social Web, Protocols, and Distribution
Audience Demographics and Student Subscriptions
Ad Break
Business Models: Subscriptions vs. Advertising
The Future of Podcasts and Video Content
How to Support The Verge
Ad Break
Why The Verge Doesn't Do High-Production Video
Alumni, Expats, and Staff Turnover
Brendan Carr Segment and Neil's Jackets
Social Media Strategy for Creators
The Evolution of Gadgets and Convergence
Outro and Credits
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