When GeekWire launched in 2011, the comment section was a different place.

In one of the first articles published on the freshly launched site, about a Seattle startup developing high-tech pet tags, the comments included a question about the accessibility of QR codes, insights about the design from the startup’s founder, and an (accurate) accusation that GeekWire’s John Cook is biased toward dogs.

One of GeekWire’s early articles about high-tech pet ID tags sparked a robust discussion.

Looking back, the discussion reflected the unique role that the comments section played at the time in helping GeekWire’s community of readers connect and communicate with one another.

Over the years, we’ve seen that kind of engagement decline and readers choose to connect with us (and each other) via social media, newsletters, email and our events. We’ve observed our own habits as readers change, as well. After much discussion and consideration, we’ve decided to focus on engaging with you through these other outlets, and we have removed the comment section from articles.

GeekWire is not the first to make this decision, nor will we be the last. Throughout the online media industry, newsrooms have wrestled with what to do with comment sections that no longer support the community they serve or reflect the original vision of a forum for high-quality discourse.

In decisions like this, and everything else we do, we’re guided by seven core values. Two of them are, “Experimental” and “Community-Oriented.”

We’re experimental in that we assess and adjust based on what we learn. We aren’t afraid to fail. We’re open to new ideas and approaches.

And as journalists, we are accountable to our audience and community. This challenging year has deepened that commitment as we document the impact of the pandemic on the Pacific Northwest tech community’s personal and professional lives. We strive to provide accurate, reliable and valuable information.

So, while the comment section may be gone, we want to hear from you as much as ever. Here’s how you can reach and engage with us going forward:

  • Join the conversation on social media: Follow GeekWire on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. We do our best to follow and participate in these conversations.
  • Email tips@geekwire.com with comments, feedback and ideas. Messages sent here go directly to our news team, and we read them closely.
  • Sign up for one or more of our newsletters, look for the regular questions we ask in our daily newsletter, and reply to give us feedback.
  • Subscribe to the GeekWire Podcast, and email us a voice memo to add your perspective to the show.
  • Support GeekWire’s journalism, and deepen your involvement in the tech community, by becoming a GeekWire member.

We welcome your feedback on this decision. Thanks for your support and interest. If you’re new to GeekWire, we invite you to read more about us here.

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