Summary

The article discusses the myth of human attention spans being shorter than that of a goldfish and provides strategies for writers to engage readers with scannable content.

Abstract

The article addresses the widespread belief that human attention spans have shrunk to less than that of a goldfish, a claim originally reported by Microsoft Canada and attributed to Statistic Brain. However, the article clarifies that this statistic is unfounded as Statistic Brain could not provide evidence for their claim. Despite the myth's debunking, the article acknowledges the challenge of capturing and maintaining reader engagement in an increasingly distracted world, as evidenced by the author's own Medium analytics showing higher engagement with shorter content. To combat this, the article suggests that writers can significantly improve reader engagement by formatting their content to cater to different reading styles, whether readers are seeking quick information or entertainment. The use of titles, quotes, and short text blocks, as well as breaking text into smaller sections, is recommended to make content more digestible and visually appealing, thereby keeping readers on the page.

Opinions

The author believes that the claim about human attention spans being shorter than a goldfish's is untrue and lacks scientific backing.
The author asserts that despite the debunked myth, there is a real issue with maintaining reader attention due to increasing distractions.
The article posits that formatting content to match readers' intentions (whether for information or entertainment) is crucial for engagement.
The author emphasizes the importance of creating scannable content with small, digestible pieces of information for readers seeking quick answers.
For entertainment-focused readers, the article suggests that dialogue and proper formatting and spacing are key to keeping them engaged.
The author encourages writers to adapt their writing style to accommodate the diverse reading preferences of their audience.

Our Attention Spans Are Shorter Than a Goldfish

How scannable content improves reader engagement

Back in 2015, an interesting statistic appeared. Microsoft Canada reported that a company called Statistic Brain had compared the attention spans of humans with goldfish.

Our attention spans had decreased from 12 seconds to 8. That was shorter than the attention span of a goldfish.

When asked about the study, Statistic Brain couldn’t show their work.

The statistic, still quoted today, isn’t true.

But we are more distracted than ever before, and that’s a problem for a writer. It’s hard to get the attention of readers, and it’s difficult to keep them engaged for very long.

My Medium statistics prove that as a fact. Shorter stories seem to get more reads, on average.

There’s something you can do about it.

Tiny things can make a massive difference.

If you doubt that statement, have you ever tried to go to sleep in a room with a single mosquito in it?

It’s agony. You lie under the sheets, clutching them close to protect you. As you listen to the shrill whine, you can imagine it searching for a way inside.

Then you drift off and feel a delicate touch on your cheek. Whack! I’ve smacked myself in the face more than once, trying to kill it.

Try this idea that can make a huge difference to readers.

Everyone has a different reading style. They clicked on your title, so they must have a reason. They might be looking for entertainment or information.

Use formatting to tailor your content to the type of reader you are targeting.

Different people read for different reasons.

Some are looking for entertainment. Others hope to gain information. Your formatting should be tailored to the type of reader you are targeting.

An information reader wants to find answers quickly. Scannable content in small bites works best.
Titles, quotes, and short text blocks are great ways to create small bites.
Break text up into shorter chunks so they have somewhere to rest their eyes.
An entertainment reader is more likely to enjoy some dialogue, but format and spacing will help them stay on the page.

Keeping your reader happy is key.

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