Quizzes have long been a go-to format for newsrooms looking to engage readers and stand out from the crowd. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at why quizzes work so well for publishers and share a few practical tips to help you get the most out of them.
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Why Quizzes Work for Publishers and Readers
Interactive formats have become an essential part of modern digital publishing. As gamification continues to gain momentum, leading outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post are using games and quizzes to keep readers engaged, coming back more often, and even subscribing.
For publishers, quizzes are no longer just a fun add-on. They’re increasingly seen as a strategic tool that enhances the overall reader experience while driving measurable results, from higher engagement to stronger retention.
Readers benefit too. A study by the Center for Media Engagement shows that quizzes don’t just make content more enjoyable - they also help readers better remember the information presented, compared to traditional, non-interactive formats.
Tips & Tricks
👱 Make Quizzes Feel More Human
One tip Fritz Holznagel from The Conversation shared is to occasionally include humorous answer options when it feels appropriate. Small touches like this remind readers that there’s a real human behind the journalism - not just facts and data.
A bit of humor makes quizzes feel more lively and conversational, helping readers connect more naturally with both the story and the publication. After all, people connect best with other people.
💰 Drive to Premium Content
Quizzes don’t just capture attention - they can also drive subscriptions.
PZ-news, for example, created a live blog built around a single quiz. The quiz repeated the exact questions from “Who wants to be a millionaire?” aired on RTL the previous Monday and invited readers to test how well they would have performed on the show. The concept resonated strongly, attracting 832 participants.
To build on this interest, PZ-news linked the quiz to a premium article below, inviting readers to find out what it feels like to suddenly win €125,000 and be recognized overnight. PZ-news spoke with the winner to share her story, creating a natural continuation of the topic and a compelling reason to subscribe.
Screenshot from the "Who wants to be a millionaire?" quiz by PZ-news.de
🍬 Increase Participation with Simple Rewards
Small rewards can go a long way. Offering simple incentives to readers who complete quizzes can significantly boost engagement - without requiring major effort or resources from the newsroom.
Fritz Holznagel, for example, shared how they use small incentives like stickers to motivate participation. One approach might be to reward readers who complete a certain number of quizzes within a set time frame and submit proof, such as a screenshot, with a limited number of winners. These kinds of low-effort rewards tend to generate excitement and encourage readers to engage quickly and regularly.
Soon Live: Tickaroo AI Quiz!
We’re always looking for ways to help our clients save time and focus on what really matters: telling great stories. That’s why we're releasing a new feature - Tickaroo AI Quiz.
With this feature, quizzes are automatically generated from your Content Streams' articles. Of course, you’ll still be able to review and edit everything, adding your own human touch where it fits. The big win? Less time spent reading through articles and coming up with questions, and more time for your team to focus on the story itself.
Here's a sneak peek into how this feature works:
Our AI Quiz feature isn’t available to everyone yet. If you’d like to use it, please get in touch with our team via the contact form below.
Want to know when new Live Blog features go live? Make sure to follow our Feature Update Live Blog, where we announce new releases and share step-by-step instructions on how to use them as soon as they’re available.
Have Questions or Interested in the AI Quiz Feature?
Contact Us!
Still have questions about our liveblogging tool, its features, or anything else? Just reach out using the contact form below - our team will be happy to help.
