t24.com.tr
Turkey's BİK Warns News Sites Against Over-Reliance on Search Engines
Turkey's Press Advertisement Institution (BİK) head Cavit Erkılınç criticized internet news sites' dependence on search engines, noting a skewed relationship benefiting only one party and urging sites to prioritize original content over short-term gains from SEO; In the first three months of 2025, BİK provided 33,148,477 TL to publications in the Diyarbakır region.
- What are the immediate consequences of Turkish internet news sites' dependence on search engine algorithms for traffic and revenue?
- Turkey's Press Advertisement Institution (BİK) head Cavit Erkılınç criticized internet news sites' dependence on search engines, describing their relationship as skewed, benefiting only one party. In the first three months of 2025, BİK provided 33,148,477 TL in state support to publications in the Diyarbakır region.
- What are the long-term implications for Turkish journalism if news websites continue to prioritize short-term gains from search engine optimization over sustainable practices?
- Erkılınç warned that continued reliance on search engines for traffic is financially risky and unsustainable. He urged news sites to focus on quality content and originality to build a sustainable model, citing examples of sites successfully navigating algorithm changes by focusing on genuine content.
- How does the Turkish Press Advertisement Institution (BİK) plan to address the issues faced by news websites, particularly those related to algorithm changes and sustainable revenue models?
- Erkılınç highlighted that news sites prioritizing search engine rankings through advertising spend risk unsustainable models and potential future financial burdens. He emphasized that the BİK's role is to ensure compliance with regulations, not to solve algorithm-related issues.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is heavily negative towards internet news sites that rely on search engines for traffic. The use of terms like "çarpık" (distorted), "kaybedenin vazgeçmekten korktuğu Concorde Sendromuna" (Concorde Syndrome, where the loser is afraid to give up), and repeated emphasis on financial losses and unsustainable practices shapes the narrative towards a critical and even condemnatory perspective. The headline and introduction could be framed more neutrally to present the issues and potential solutions without such strong negative connotations.
Language Bias
The language used is largely strong and accusatory. Terms such as "yanlış trene bindiğinizde" (if you get on the wrong train), "sahteciliğe veya aldatmaya yönelik eylemleri" (acts of fraud or deception), and "kötü alışkanlıklarınızı" (your bad habits) are examples of loaded language. More neutral alternatives could be used to present the same information without such strong judgmental tones. The repeated use of negative framing reinforces a critical perspective.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses heavily on the negative consequences of internet news sites' relationships with search engines, but it omits discussion of potential benefits or alternative strategies for success that don't rely on search engine optimization. While the limitations of scope are acknowledged, a more balanced perspective would strengthen the analysis.
False Dichotomy
The analysis presents a false dichotomy between relying on search engines for traffic and achieving success. It implies that there's no middle ground, overlooking the possibility of a balanced approach combining various methods to increase site traffic and visibility. The narrative strongly pushes for the idea that search engine dependence is inherently harmful and unsustainable.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the challenges faced by online news websites in Turkey due to their dependence on search engines for traffic. This dependence creates an unsustainable business model where news outlets spend significant sums on advertising to maintain visibility, leading to financial strain and potentially hindering their ability to provide quality journalism and sustain employment. The dependence on search engine algorithms also puts pressure on journalistic integrity, incentivizing the creation of low-quality, clickbait content instead of in-depth, reliable reporting. This negatively impacts the sustainability of the journalism sector and the overall economic well-being of those employed in it.