Akamai has launched a web traffic report that shows real-time usage patterns for news websites the company helps deliver. The Boston Globe has the detail in a slightly OTT report:

“Drawing on data collected from news sites for which Akamai delivers content, from CNN and MSNBC to Reuters and BBC, the new Akamai Net Usage Index for News will track the aggregate number of viewers per minute by geography, identify the times of day when news viewing peaks in different parts of the world, and measure how much above or below the average news viewing is at any given moment.”

It’s a good PR move for Akami, although some of the business model speculation in the piece seems a little much - especially the bit about competing with Google. And the stats being revealed by this will probably not say much to people working inside media organisations, who should have this information already from internal stats. Would be cool if they made the little news consumption meter a badge, or something… might offer an interesting visual clue when there’s a big story kicking off.

[via Romenesko]

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