MUO is your guide to modern tech. Learn how to make use of the tech and gadgets around you, and discover cool stuff on the internet.
MakeUseOf (MUO) is a long-running technology publication founded in 2007 and owned by Canadian digital-media group Valnet Inc. It operates as a free, ad-supported website that publishes daily articles aimed at mainstream consumers and entry-to-intermediate tech enthusiasts who want practical, easy-to-follow advice. Core content pillars include step-by-step how-to guides, troubleshooting tips, product/app round-ups (e.g., “10 Best…”, “Top Alternatives”), gadget & software reviews, opinion pieces, and curated deal alerts. Revenue is generated primarily through display advertising managed by Valnet, complemented by affiliate links to retailers such as Amazon and, on occasion, sponsored posts. Audience & reach: According to SimilarWeb (May 2024), the site attracts roughly 18–20 million monthly visits, with the majority of readers coming from the U.S., U.K., and India, skewing toward the 18–44 age bracket (source: SimilarWeb; LinkedIn company page). Posting cadence & timing: MUO pushes multiple stories per day; traffic data from SimilarWeb and Ahrefs shows highest weekday traffic on Tuesdays–Thursdays, suggesting those are the most favorable days for fresh posts. Weekends show a mild drop-off typical of tech-news outlets. High-performing content types: • Evergreen tutorials that solve common tech problems ("How to fix…", "How to transfer…") • Listicles and round-ups ("Best free…", "7 sites to…") • Quick tips and shortcuts for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and popular web services • Product/app reviews timed to new releases Best practices (do’s): ✓ Use clear, SEO-optimized headlines with numbers or problem/solution phrasing ✓ Provide screenshots or annotated images for each step ✓ Keep language approachable; avoid heavy jargon ✓ Update older guides to maintain search ranking and accuracy Common pitfalls (avoid): ✗ Thin, derivative content that doesn’t add new value (lower chance of ranking) ✗ Overly promotional tone—MUO guidelines discourage blatant advertorial unless flagged as sponsored ✗ Referencing pirated software or illegal workarounds; editorial guidelines prohibit it Other notes: MUO also runs an email newsletter and active social channels (Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn) that amplify top stories. Writers are largely freelancers worldwide, following Valnet’s contributor model. There is no paid membership; all articles are free to read.
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