Semafor
Working for Semafor, we focused on creating a reliable, engaging platform that builds trust in journalism. By prioritizing scalable architecture and development, we enhanced the user experience and fostered deeper audience engagement.
About client
Semafor is a dynamic news platform launched in 2022 by Ben Smith, former Editor-in-Chief of BuzzFeed News, and Justin B. Smith, former CEO of Bloomberg Media Group. Targeting a professional, English-speaking audience, Semafor is designed to rebuild confidence in journalism by clearly separating factual reporting from opinion pieces. Offering global perspectives with a focus on editorial transparency, the platform delivers real-time news updates through a scalable content structure. Semafor seeks to provide a reliable and refreshing news experience for those looking for clarity and accuracy in today's complex and fragmented media environment.
About project
The Semafor project focused on building two core systems from the ground up to support the platform's content delivery and email distribution strategies. FlexMade's role was instrumental in designing and implementing these systems, which serve as the core support for Semafor's real-time news distribution and newsletters.
Objectives & Challenges
Semafor, a new player in the online media industry, aimed to establish a reliable platform that prioritized transparency and user engagement. They faced the challenge of integrating dynamic content and ads without disrupting the user experience. Recognizing the need for a skilled development partner, they sought a team capable of addressing these challenges while adapting to their evolving requirements. One of the tasks was to implement dynamic content rendering and allow project architecture for real-time content updates. Others were related to ads integration based on revenue strategy, CMS improvements, and cross-platform email rendering.
Approach & Methodology
FlexMade implemented a structured approach to enhance collaboration and efficiency among teams. By focusing on reusable components, we simplified the development process, making it easier to adapt to changes. This new workflow minimized confusion and improved communication, ensuring everyone understood their roles and reducing delays in project completion. We adopted atomic design principles and test-driven development and made significant cross-team process improvements.
News Feed
Semafor's news feed stands out for its transparency and structure. By separating facts, analysis, and opinion within each story, the platform allows readers to distinguish between objective reporting and subjective commentary. The global focus ensures a wide range of coverage on key international topics, offering a well-rounded perspective. This clarity helps users quickly get informed while avoiding confusion between facts and interpretations. Additionally, the platform's clean and modern design enhances accessibility and readability, making it appealing for regular news consumption.
Global News Coverage
Semafor provides global news coverage through its website by offering dedicated sections for various regions and topics, such as U.S. politics, Africa, China, and global business. It uses a unique article format that separates facts, analysis, and opinion, making it easier for readers to digest information. The platform also leverages partnerships and conducts interviews with global influencers to provide insight into international issues. Their coverage is presented in a way that ensures transparency and clarity, aiming for a global perspective on key news stories.
Newsletters
The Semafor newsletters deliver concise, engaging news content across multiple sectors. It includes offerings like Semafor Flagship, which covers major global stories twice daily in a clear, digestible format, and specific newsletters for topics such as business, technology, and climate. The newsletters are known for their “one-question interviews” and fact-based journalism, targeting professionals and intellectually curious readers. Semafor's audience benefits from transparent and well-researched content that often includes deep insights into international news and emerging trends.
Job done
The solution
FlexMade took the lead in developing Semafor's core web and newsletter systems. We optimized processes between development and QA teams, improving efficiency and communication. Our efforts resulted in the project being 84% covered with tests, ensuring stability and reliability. We also refactored the project multiple times to adopt modern technologies and align with the latest industry trends, making the platform more scalable and maintainable.
The result
The platform successfully scaled to handle millions of users, particularly during key global events (e.g., elections, wars, etc.). Through personalized ads and dynamic content, Semafor significantly increased its revenue streams. The repeated refactors, where we consistently integrated modern features, greatly improved the platform's maintainability and scalability. These ongoing updates ensure that Semafor can quickly adapt to new trends and continue driving future revenue growth.
The technologies
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Client's feedback
Mark Wilkie
We are making good progress, and FlexMade engineers have been very good so far. Over many years, FlexMade has been a great source of engineering talent.
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