I just finished watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix.
It’s worth a watch, and it was one of two final programs I wanted to watch before my subscription to the service goes dark on October 1. Our family decided to cancel the service following its marketing campaign for Cuties, which debuted earlier this month.
After watching the documentary, I find myself in a social media dilemma.
- Pageviews on our site, potomaclocalnews.com, over the past 30 days, is up 30%.
- We have not been able to post anything to our company’s Facebook page since August 21.
- Facebook says we’re not registered as a news organization.
- Facebook rejected my first attempt to register our site. It says it cannot verify our business telephone number.
- I tried again and I’ve yet to receive a response.
- This is despite the great help I’ve received on this issue from the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University.
- Following our reporting on the Black Lives Matter protests at the Prince William Board of County Supervisors meetings, some took to Facebook to call for defunding us.
- I don’t know, and may never know what effect this had on the way Facebook views my business.
- I credit our page view growth to our growing list of 14,000 email newsletter subscribers, which has increased 300% since April 1.
I know Facebook is an avenue for people to find our news. Hell, I relied on it to practically build my business — especially 10 years ago, in the early days.
However, now I’m wondering what its worth to keep badgering Facebook to allow us to once again post content. Essentially, begging Facebook to let it sell ads off of our hard work.
Increasingly — and we’ve known this for years — on the internet, if you’re not paying for the service, you’re the product. Your data is being used and sold to advertisers so they can target the right ad to you at the right time.
We’ve never done this. We don’t offer “geo-targeting,” or any other type of targeting. Our content is local news, so by definition, our news is already targeted to local residents.
At Potomac Local News, you’re not the product. The news is, and that’s one reason why the number of paid subscribers to our site continues to grow.
Meanwhile, in recent months when we could post to Facebook, many of our sponsored posts for our advertising clients — none of which were political ads— were rejected. The majority of them were for community events.
Among our audience on Facebook, interaction has been declining. And, surprisingly, comments on our site — which, for years, had been nearly non-existent — are increasing in numbers.
I’m at a crossroads, and the decision I make could have a lasting effect on my business.
Author
Recent Stories
February will be a busy and love-filled month around Prince William County and Manassas with several events and activities scheduled. Take a look at some highlighted events and meetings. Wednesday…
Icy Conditions Possible Wednesday Night – A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Prince William County from 9 p.m. Wednesday to Noon Thursday, with freezing rain and sleet expected. VDOT crews are treating roads, but travel may be hazardous. Limit travel, prepare for icy spots, and stay updated on changing conditions.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.
Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.
County transportation director Rick Canizales confirmed that the estimated cost had grown beyond available funding, requiring an additional $80–$100 million to proceed. “After taking all this into consideration and doing all the design work that we’ve done at this point, we come to the board and let you know that as staff, we believe that alternative 2B is not viable because we don’t have enough money and we don’t have enough support in some of the challenges we’re facing,” Canizales said.
For the first time, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger sat down for an exclusive interview with Potomac Local News as she begins her second term. In a candid conversation, she addressed the city’s stance on immigration enforcement, the future of development in downtown Manassas, the impact of potential state and federal funding cuts, and her vision for the next four years.
What’s next for Manassas? Will taxes go up? How will the city navigate potential financial challenges? And what’s her take on the now-canceled Route 28 Bypass project?
Get the full story in tomorrow’s edition—only on Potomac Local News. Stay tuned!
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
