It may become slightly more difficult to sell that piano, get a new pet, find a job or rent an apartment if a prediction by a group that explores 25 of America that may soon be just memory comes to pass.
The series includes newspaper classifieds as item #23. Yes, the family farm was number one. News magazines and TV news was number three.
The entry reads: “The Internet has made so many things obsolete that newspaper classified ads might sound like just another trivial item on a long list. But this is one of those harbingers of the future that could signal the end of civilization as we know it. The argument is that if newspaper classifieds are replaced by free online listings at sites like Craigslist.org and Google Base, then newspapers are not far behind them. And if we lose our daily newspapers, or they get severly damaged by cutbacks, then we lose our independent check on our government and we risk living in tyranny.
Newspaper are, of course, dying a slow death caused by cutbacks, with circulation down 3.6% on weekdays and 4.6% on Sundays in 2008 so far. The latest study of readership shows more declines among 18-24-year-olds, and another study says that people in that age group turn first to TV for their news, and to print newspapers a distant fifth.”
Classifieds have been a staple of the daily newspaper since its beginnings, providing much needed information for readers in need of everything from a job to a house or a refrigerator. Classifieds have always provided hefty revenue, while bringing in readers whose main interest has been the classified section. Weekend editions, especially, are especially designed to accommodate large number of pages. Large metropolitan dailies such as Folha de Sao Paulo, in Brazil, carry several classified sections to cover individual topics such as real estate, automobiles, jobs, etc. However, the US newspapers developed classified pages with sophisticated navigation, well organized sections by topic, and, lately in large enough type that invited readers and made reading more pleasurable.
While it is true that a lot of the traditional classified content is now available online, nobody should rush out to attend the funeral of the classified page. In 2000, about 60% of the US popularion owned a computer (roughly 168.5 million people). Even that impressive figure leaves out the 40% that still may rely on a printed classified section to suit their needs. We will see more cooperation between print/online classified operations.
I am surprised not to see “stock listings” or “television program listings” on the list of things that will disappear. These are , indeed, already vanishing, since those interested in that information get it either from computers, or, in the case of television listings, by simply flipping through the menu of channels available on their TV sets. The content of classified, however, generates a broader customer base. Especially in Latin America, Asia and Africa, classified sections continue to grow.
And, if as I predict, the American newspaper will be published less frequently, or only as a mega weekly, then classifieds are likely to play a vital role.
WE SEND YOU: http://vanessaneupmann.blogspot.com/2008/07/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america.html
WHERE IS MARIO? Enjoying a long weekend with family at the beach condo, Belleair Beach, Florida.