Gannett Shuts Down Reviewed Amid AI Content Controversy

Gannett, the newspaper giant, is closing down its product reviews site Reviewed, amidst controversy over the use of AI-generated content and labor disputes with unionized workers.

The big picture: Gannett’s decision to shutter Reviewed, effective November 1st, comes after months of scrutiny regarding the authenticity of its product reviews and ongoing conflicts with its unionized workforce.

• Reviewed offered recommendations for various products, from shoes to home appliances, employing journalists to test and review items.
• The site had been accused of publishing AI-generated content, which Gannett denied, attributing the questionable articles to a third-party marketing company called AdVon Commerce.
• Unionized workers at Reviewed had engaged in limited strikes due to disagreements with Gannett management over workload and compensation.

Content controversy and AI allegations: The closure of Reviewed follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding the authenticity of its product reviews and the potential use of AI-generated content.

• In October of the previous year, Reviewed staff publicly accused Gannett of publishing AI-generated product reviews on the site.
• The articles in question were written in an unusual, stilted manner, and the authors they were attributed to appeared to be non-existent on professional networking platforms.
• Gannett denied the use of AI, stating that the content was produced by AdVon Commerce, a third-party marketing company.

Broader industry context: The shutdown of Reviewed reflects wider challenges in the digital publishing landscape, particularly in the product review sector.

• Product reviews are often seen as a lucrative venture for publishers, drawing readers seeking purchasing advice and generating affiliate revenue.
• However, changes in Google Search algorithms and the rise of AI search tools threaten to disrupt this revenue model.
• Some independent sites have reported steadily decreasing search traffic, potentially impacting their ability to monetize product reviews.

AdVon Commerce connection: The marketing firm behind Reviewed’s controversial content has been linked to similar issues at other publications, raising questions about the prevalence of AI-generated content in digital media.

• AdVon was also responsible for a comparable situation at Sports Illustrated, where product reviews were attributed to non-existent freelancers.
• An investigation by The Verge revealed that AdVon has a history of flooding the web with marketing content, some of which former employees claim was AI-generated.
• AdVon’s CEO, Ben Faw, has leveraged media connections to secure contracts with various news outlets, often employing complex marketing schemes.

Labor disputes and union actions: Reviewed’s closure comes in the wake of ongoing conflicts between Gannett and the site’s unionized workforce.

• Unionized workers at Reviewed had staged multiple limited strikes due to disagreements with management.
• In July, staffers initiated a temporary work stoppage, citing expectations to take on additional work without corresponding compensation adjustments.
• Gannett has not commented on whether Reviewed staff will be offered new roles within the company or face layoffs.

Uncertain future for digital product reviews: The closure of Reviewed and the controversies surrounding AI-generated content highlight the evolving landscape of digital product reviews and affiliate marketing.

• As AI technology advances, the line between human-written and machine-generated content becomes increasingly blurred, raising ethical concerns for publishers.
• The potential impact on consumer trust and the long-term viability of product review sites remain uncertain, as readers may become more skeptical of online recommendations.
• Publishers may need to adapt their strategies to maintain credibility and revenue streams in the face of changing search algorithms and emerging AI technologies.