“Get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even cry a little. BuzzFeed’s got it all, and we’re not afraid to push the boundaries of what you thought was possible in the world of media. Join us on this wild ride and see where it takes you!”
Imagine a world where cats reign supreme, quizzes determine your destiny, and hard-hitting journalism sits side by side with viral videos. This is the world of BuzzFeed, and its CEO Jonah Peretti is the mastermind behind it all. From its humble beginnings as a platform for silly videos and lists, to its evolution into a major player in the world of news and media, BuzzFeed has become a cultural phenomenon. So buckle up and get ready to explore the wild and wacky world of BuzzFeed, where anything is possible and the unexpected is just another day at the office.
When you think of BuzzFeed, you probably think of cute animal videos, quizzes, and listicles. And yes, those things are still very much a part of the site’s content. But BuzzFeed has come a long way since its inception in 2006, and its CEO, Jonah Peretti, is a big reason why.
Peretti co-founded BuzzFeed with the goal of creating a viral content machine. And he succeeded. By November 2013, the site was pulling in an astonishing 130 million unique monthly visitors. But Peretti didn’t stop there. He saw an opportunity to expand beyond just fluffy, feel-good content and embrace serious journalism.
In 2012, BuzzFeed made a bold move and hired professional journalists to produce hard news. Some were skeptical of the decision, wondering how a site known for its clickbait could be taken seriously as a news source. But Peretti stood by the move, saying he would rather be criticized for trying something new than for being afraid to innovate.
And innovate they did. BuzzFeed News has won numerous awards for its reporting, including a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for its coverage of the Russia investigation. The site has also become a go-to source for breaking news and in-depth reporting, covering everything from politics to social justice issues.
But even as BuzzFeed has expanded its content, it hasn’t lost sight of what made it so successful in the first place: its ability to create shareable, viral content. In fact, it’s that same ethos that has allowed BuzzFeed to stay ahead of the curve and continue to innovate.
For example, BuzzFeed was an early adopter of video content, and its Tasty brand has become a sensation in the food world. Tasty videos, which show step-by-step instructions for making simple but delicious recipes, have been viewed billions of times across social media. And BuzzFeed has continued to experiment with new formats and platforms, such as its BuzzFeed Unsolved series on YouTube, which explores mysteries and true crime stories.
So, what’s the secret to BuzzFeed’s success? According to Peretti, it’s all about embracing experimentation and being willing to take risks. He’s not afraid to try new things, even if they don’t always work out. And that willingness to innovate has paid off in a big way, with BuzzFeed being named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2013.
But perhaps the real key to BuzzFeed’s success is its ability to connect with its audience. The site’s content is designed to be shareable, relatable, and fun. And that’s what keeps people coming back for more.
So, the next time you find yourself scrolling through BuzzFeed instead of working, remember that there’s more to the site than just cat videos. With its blend of hard news and viral content, it’s become a cultural phenomenon and a true innovator in the digital media landscape. And that’s something to be celebrated, even if it does occasionally distract you from your work.
