Many news organisations have adopted user needs models, but in 2026, this work will shift gears. 

User needs will move from being a framework for analysing output and engagement, to becoming embedded directly in editorial processes. Less a measurement tool, more a mindset. 

Even when "user needs" is not explicitly referenced, the underlying logic will increasingly guide newsroom priorities, influencing which stories are pitched, prioritised and shaped. 

Two forces in particular will accelerate this development.

First: The hunt for uniqueness.

Competition for users’ time will intensify further in 2026 as traffic declines and........

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