Pocket for publishers FAQ

What are Pocket Recommendations?

Pocket Recommendations are articles and videos considered worthy of users' time and attention. They are curated with the involvement of Pocket's community of over 30 million users. These users save millions of items to Pocket daily, which they find interesting, useful, and meaningful. Pocket employs algorithms to sift through this saved content, considering indicators of quality, such as how often a particular story is read and shared within Pocket, along with various other engagement metrics. Finally, Pocket's editor-curators review stories with high engagement, ensuring they meet editorial guidelines, and select the best ones to share with the broader Pocket and Firefox communities.

Where Do Pocket Recommendations Appear?

Pocket Recommendations are presented to users in various ways:

Firefox New Tab

Firefox users, as well as Chrome users with the Pocket New Tab extension, encounter Pocket Recommendations each time they open a new tab. The selection of articles is made by Pocket's curators, in collaboration with Pocket users and algorithms. These articles are sourced from diverse publications with a reputation for trustworthy and accurate coverage. Pocket Recommendations in the Firefox New Tab are accessible to users in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the US.

Pocket Hits

Pocket Hits is a daily email newsletter featuring 7-10 article recommendations and reaching up to 7 million users daily. Similar to the recommendations in the Firefox New Tab, articles in Pocket Hits are curated by a team of curators based on what is being read and saved in Pocket.

Within Pocket

Pocket users also receive recommendations within the mobile apps for iOS and Android, the website, and when saving links using the Save to Pocket browser extension for Chrome. These recommendations are generated using algorithms and the user's personal Pocket activity.

How Can I Get My Content to Appear in Pocket’s Apps, Email Newsletters, or Firefox New Tab?

There is no direct way to promote or pitch content to Pocket's curators. Pocket Recommendations are primarily driven by organic factors described above. For those interested in paid promotion, Pocket offers a sponsored content program, which guarantees a certain number of impressions and/or clicks, enabling you to target a specific audience. Ultimately, creating excellent journalism and encouraging readers to save it to Pocket is the best way for your content to gain visibility among Pocket users and potentially become a Pocket Recommendation.

Can I Pitch Content to Your Team Directly?

Pocket's editorial team currently does not accept content pitches.

One of Our Stories Is a Pocket Recommendation with an Error. How Can I Fix It?

If there is an error within the text article you are linking to, you can make the necessary changes on your end, and the link will remain functional. If you wish to change the URL or have identified an error in how it is promoted in Pocket Hits or on the New Tab, please email [email protected], and we will be happy to assist you.

Why Do I See Recommended Stories with Publication Dates That Aren’t from Today?

Pocket is committed to showcasing the web's finest stories, not just the most recent ones. Many outstanding stories were not published within the past 24 hours. On occasion, you may encounter articles from Pocket's publisher partners hosted on the Pocket site. In these cases, Pocket has paid publishers to republish high-quality "Pocket Worthy" stories from their archives, believing that these articles continue to be as enjoyable and relevant as the day they were written. This effort aims to support enduring, high-quality journalism and content creation on the web.

How Do I Get My Publication’s Stories Syndicated by Pocket?

Pocket is exploring ways to extend the lifespan of great articles through syndication. This is part of Pocket's initiative to create a space where high-quality content can thrive long after its initial publication. If you are interested in discussing syndication, please email [email protected].

Can I Publish or Upload My Content to Pocket? Can I Provide an RSS Feed?

You cannot publish content directly on Pocket. Instead, a story appears on the platform when your readers save it to Pocket. The more readers you have using Pocket and saving your articles, the more likely your stories are to be recommended to the Pocket community at large through Pocket Hits or the New Tab.

Does Installing the Pocket Button on My Publication’s Site Increase My Chances of Having Content Appear in Pocket’s Apps or Firefox New Tab?

While installing the Pocket Button does not directly affect your content's visibility, it encourages your audience to save your content to Pocket. Increased saves and engagement within Pocket can lead to your content being recommended.

What Is a Publisher Dashboard, and Does It Help Inform Recommendations?

The publisher dashboard allows publications to track articles saved and engaged with by Pocket users. However, it does not influence recommendations. The dashboard is currently closed for new signups.

What Kind of Content Performs Best in Pocket?

In Pocket, there's an audience for a wide range of story types, from technology and travel to science, sports, personal finance, entertainment, food, and more. The performance of an article or video is not solely determined by its category but rather by the quality of the writing and subject matter. Both long-form and shorter articles can perform well when they are concise and well-crafted.

How Can I Ensure My Content Looks Great and Is Captured Correctly in Pocket?

Pocket's reader mode, known as Article View, presents content in a distraction-free format optimized for users' screens. To ensure your content looks its best in Pocket, it's recommended to build your site with simple and valid HTML markup. If your site uses JavaScript, having an HTML fallback is beneficial.

I have a question that isn't answered here. How can I get in touch?

Inquiries from publishers or editors can be sent to [email protected]. Due to the high volume of interest, not all inquiries will be returned. Additionally, Pocket Support is not able to respond to editorial requests. Thank you for your interest in Pocket.