Overtone has used AI and natural language processing to create metrics based on the text of an article itself, rather than things such as the clicks, what website it is on, who wrote it or who shared it. Our Overtone scores are based on the editorial differences between articles, differences that I knew during my time as a journalist and most editors would understand. Because they are not based on waiting for people to engage, that means they are also available immediately the moment a piece of text exists.
These scores, the first of many products from Overtone aimed at helping people communicate better, can be used for driving subscriptions, ensuring quality supply in advertising, or simply setting expectations of what someone is about to read. As the internet decentralizes away from platforms that dominate the stores of data, people will need insights to explore, discover and connect. Overtone is about connecting the newsroom and the boardroom, writers and readers. We hope this will lead to more sustainable journalism businesses, and ultimately a better, more sustainable internet.
