Facebook on Wednesday debuted Instant Articles, a new feature of their iOS app that claims to offer publishers (and readers) faster loading articles, up to ten times faster than standard mobile articles.
Along with a faster experience, Instant Articles introduces a suite of interactive features that allow publishers to bring their stories to life in new ways. Zoom in and explore high-resolution photos by tilting your phone. Watch auto-play videos come alive as you scroll through stories. Explore interactive maps, listen to audio captions, and even like and comment on individual parts of an article in-line.
Facebook says the average web article takes eight seconds to load. They claim Instant Articles will allow the content to load up to ten times faster than standard articles.
Publishers will be allowed to monetize their articles, either by selling their own ads, or utilizing Facebook’s Audience network to monetize unsold inventory. They will also be able to track data and traffic via analytics tools.
Facebook is working with nine launch partners for Instant Articles: The New York Times, National Geographic, BuzzFeed, NBC, The Atlantic, The Guardian, BBC News, Spiegel and Bild.
Instant Articles is launching first on the Facebook for iPhone app, with special content produced by The New York Times, BuzzFeed, National Geographic, NBC and The Atlantic. The feature will expand in the near future.
For more information about Instant Articles, visit the Facebook Instant Articles website.
