From the editor: How we use analytics to guide our coverage priorities

After almost 25 years of reporting and editing at the StarNews, I feel like I have a pretty good handle on what stories will resonate with readers.

Plus, we have real-time analytics that show us how many people are reading a story at any given minute of the day. We can also gather historical data to look for trends.

We’ve spent a lot of time over the years digging into this data so we can focus our coverage on the topics you care about the most. That’s why you see numerous stories each week on growth and development issues, food and dining, and the local arts and entertainment scene.

These are frequently the most read stories online each day. But sometimes, a story comes along and I’m surprised at the amount of interest.

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That happened recently when we reported on a new restaurant coming to the former Flaming Amy’s Bowl location. The story had thousands and thousands of readers online, and tremendous interaction on social media.

I know Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn has a massive following, but I didn’t realize just how much Wilmingtonians missed the Bowl. Maybe there’s a follow-up on what restaurants readers miss the most.

The lesson here is that reporters and editors at the StarNews use analytics to guide our coverage. Those numbers offer us tremendous insight, but they aren't the only thing that helps us decide. We also use our knowledge of the community and our expertise to influence coverage priorities.

And hearing from readers is important. If you have a story idea or want to share feedback on topics you think we should be covering, email us at feedback@starnewsonline.com.

Sherry Jones is the StarNews executive editor. You can reach her at sjones1@gannett.com.