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From Facebook Page to News Giant: The Inshorts Success Story

In today's information age, staying informed can feel like a constant battle. We're bombarded with news alerts, lengthy articles, and ever-scrolling social media feeds. But what if there was a way to stay updated without sacrificing precious time? 

This is the promise offered by Inshorts, the Indian news app that delivers concise summaries of news stories in 60 words or less. But Inshorts' journey from a quirky Facebook page to a leading news platform is a story filled with innovation, adaptation, and a deep understanding of the modern attention span. 

The Architects of Inshorts: 

The story of Inshorts begins in 2013 with three IIT Delhi graduates - Azhar Iqbal, Anunay Pandey, and Deepit Purkayastha. Recognizing the growing challenge of information overload, they started a simple Facebook page called "News in Shorts." This page presented summaries of news articles with links to the original sources. The idea resonated with users seeking a quick and efficient way to stay informed.


 Early Struggles: 

From Experiment to Enterprise Encouraged by the positive response on Facebook, the trio decided to take a leap of faith. They quit their studies and poured their efforts into developing a dedicated mobile app. However, their initial approach involved creating a complex news curation platform. This proved to be a misstep. They learned a valuable lesson - the key wasn't just summarizing news, but doing it in a way that resonated with a mobile-first audience. 

Shifting Gears: 

The Power of Simplicity The team went back to the drawing board and emerged with a new vision for Inshorts. They focused on a user-friendly interface with a clean layout and easy navigation. The core value proposition remained - concise summaries of news stories. But the team refined the format, ensuring each summary was objective, factual, and limited to 60 words. This focus on brevity and clarity proved to be a game-changer. 

Building a News Empire on Short Attention Spans: 

Inshorts' success hinges on its understanding of the modern reader. With limited time and an abundance of information, users crave quick, bite-sized updates. Inshorts delivers just that. The app goes beyond simply summarizing news; it curates content based on user preferences and interests. Additionally, it offers a "Read Later" feature for in-depth exploration of stories that pique a user's curiosity. 

Monetizing the Model: 

From App to Ad Revenue Building a successful app goes beyond a great user experience. Inshorts needed a sustainable revenue model. The team adopted a freemium approach, offering the core functionality for free while generating revenue through in-app advertising. They partnered with leading brands to display targeted ads without compromising the user experience. 

Challenges and Controversies: 

Navigating the News Landscape Despite its success, Inshorts hasn't been without its challenges. Some critics have raised concerns about potential bias in content curation. The company has addressed these concerns by emphasizing transparency in its curation process and offering users the ability to personalize their news feed. Additionally, Inshorts has faced scrutiny for the brevity of its summaries, with some arguing that it sacrifices depth for brevity. The company maintains that its summaries provide a jumping-off point for further exploration, allowing users to delve deeper into stories that interest them. 

The Inshorts Legacy:

 A New Era of News Consumption Inshorts has revolutionized the way Indians consume news. It has carved a niche for itself in a crowded market by offering a unique value proposition - concise, objective news delivered in a userfriendly format. With over 60 million active users and a presence in multiple languages, Inshorts continues to grow and adapt. The company is constantly innovating, introducing features like video updates and exploring new revenue streams. The story of Inshorts is a testament to the power of innovation and a deep understanding of user needs. It serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs, demonstrating that success can be achieved by offering a solution that caters to the ever-evolving habits of the modern information consumer.


Azhar Iqubal, new Shark Tank Judge, IIT dropout who built Billion Dollar Company from Facebook Page.

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