Artifact, the news aggregator that promised an experience free of sensationalism and misinformation, is closing

Artifact, a news aggregation app developed by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, co-founders of Instagram, has announced its closure. Launched in January 2023, the app combines machine learning technology and a recommendation system to provide users with articles based on their interests. However, less than a year after its launch, the team behind Artifact decided to wind down operations.

Artifact was the first product that Systrom and Krieger launched after their departure from Instagram in 2018. The app is available on iOS and Android. It was designed as a response to the information consumption crisis and the impact of social networks on news distribution.

With a focus on quality and safety of content, Artifact It aims to provide a more satisfying news experience, free of sensationalism and misinformation. The application is distinguished by its ability to learn from user behavior and adjust its recommendations accordingly.

Reasons for closure

Although it was named the essential app of the year by the Google Play Store, Artifact concluded that the market opportunity did not justify continued investment in this format.

The closure of Artifact raises reflections about the future of news aggregation in the age of artificial intelligence. Although the app has had a positive reception in terms of design and functionality, its inability to capture a large segment of the market highlights the challenges startups face in the competitive world of news apps.