Topix is one of those start-ups that challenges the way we measure success in Silicon Valley.
On one hand, the news conversation site founded almost eight years ago by Chris Tolles has attracted investment from three big-time newspaper companies (McClatchy, Gannett and Tribune Co.) and is profitable. The latter alone puts it ahead of the vast majority of start-up ideas that barely limp out of the gate. As such, the Palo Alto-based company is stable and employs 25 people.
A great achievement, right?
On the other hand, it’s not Facebook or Twitter. It’s not the hot thing of the moment, like Pinterest or Instagram.
So where, exactly, does that leave Topix? During a recent phone interview, Tolles and I were discussing just this idea, when he quoted Pete Campbell, a character from Mad Men, who said on the recent season premier: “Stable is that step backwards between successful and failing.”
And so, without blowing up the ship, Topix is casting around for ways to accelerate its growth. To that end, it’s launching a new site focused on political news: Politix (http://politix.topix.com).
For now, the site has been developed for mobile browsers, but will be soon available for desktop browsers. Tolles says users will be able to eventually create political profiles on Politix and he hopes it will become a place where a wide range of people with gather to comment and share political news.
The move is kind of a return to its roots for Topix. Originally, the site created thousands of categories for news where people could discuss stories. But the company got the most traction by breaking the news stories into local geographies, and eventually embraced localization as its core mission. Topix succeeded by demonstrating just how much people want to gather and talk about the news.
Politix, Tolles hopes, will be the first of many sections dedicated to topic categories, rather than geographies. And in turn, he’s hoping that gets moves the company out of the “stable” middle ground.
“We’re not in a position to go public,” he said. “We’ve been approached by companies for investments and deals and things like that. But we’d like to show a higher trajectory of growth.
“We need to invest a bit and stretch a bit. And we need to do that in a smart way.”
17 comments
Thomas
The problem that Chris Tolles overlooks is the website, Topix. While it may be popular, it is also despised by a large, large group of people and his refusal to appear on 20/20 last week made Topix look even worse. That site, through poor long range business decisions, has such a poor reputation, frankly it is hard for me and many people to take Politix even mildly serious. When I heard the word Topix the words that come to me are “cowards, cyberbullying, defamation, libel.” Because of the business model they have chosen, Topix primary auidence is a group of people who hide behind a computer and often post lies about other people. Topix has got to start making some changes and showing a more serious effort in regards to content and the vast majority of bullying that occurs on their site. The woman featured in the 20/20 story didn’t do Chris Tolles and Topix any favors either because it came across that people with no conscience are the type of demographic they draw. The Politix idea has potential, but it is never going to be wildly successful until Topix starts caring about the content it puts out and accountability of its users. It has the reputation of nothing more than a gossip site. Chris Tolles is likely to argue this point, but the “filters” are whatever they use and the feedback system is seen as a joke. Sites with a reputable reputation do things such as moderate posts, require all users to register with verified accounts, and Topix has way too many forums to keep up with many that are not popular, contain nothing but bullying, or are immoral like the human sexuality forum. Even with those measures in place there still would be bullying, but Topix would be showing a true effort and it would enhance their public perception. Right now, many view Topix with distain. I know Chris Tolles wants to refute that and seems like he wants to be anti-authority but with a website of that size and with the plans he has, he is going to have to start doing some things differently.
Mar 29, 2012
Chris O'Brien
Had not heard about the 20/20 story, but will check it out.
Mar 29, 2012
Chris Tolles
“thomas”
If you want to have credibility regarding criticism about anonymous commentary, I think a non anonymous post would be a starting point.
FInd a site with user content at scale and you’ll find objectionable content.
That 20/20 story was pretty typical — didn’t reference our working with the attorney, who credited us with that effort. In fact, in an email from the attorney he warned us this was likely to slam us, and he blamed the poster and target of the lawsuit, not us.
A better story with a bit more perspective is here:
http://www.ajc.com/news/ga-man-awarded-404-809868.html
There are a small group of people who can’t get their heads around the fact that the Internet provides an outlet to anonymously opine and criticize — from bad restaurant reviews, to complaints about city government and that’s a GOOD thing. Unless there are a lot of people who disagree with what’s out there, there is probably too much censorship of the net.
Should I be complaining to the Merc that you are cyberbullying us with your accusations of bullying and immorality? No, see I get it: Haters gonna hate.
Chris Tolles
CEO Topix
Mar 29, 2012
Stefanie
I would like to put my two cents on all this as well. I think Thomas was pretty spot on. I think Topix has a real image problem because all the bullying that constantly goes on with Topix is going to limit an auidence and makes the site way too libelous, way too gossipy, and amateuristic. I saw the story on 20/20 as well and as discovered it was the same person posting under a variety of names. That’s bad too because I suspect Topix “ppoularity” is smaller than people might think. I can’t look at the site, it is so awful in my community. When I heard about Politix I automatically rolled my eyes because I knew Topix was growing from not just community libel to politicial libel. I just think since Topix cliams its news (it isn’t really and is basically a glorifed message board), its better off switching to real community news from aggregated legit sources and regsitered users and cutting the forum portion to a more manageable number of forums. Where I live there are four small towns all side by side and not a lick of news in any one of them. You don’t need four, you need to combine them (Actually you probably don’t even have much need for one, but that is what I would do). I would rather have a smaller number of solid users and stronger comments because it would attract a new auidence Topix is never going to get with its current auidence. Those coming in posting who is sleeping with who, probably isn’t going to add much to any kind of meaningful political discussion and if they do contribute it likely will turn the discussion to something trashy. You can’t serve two masters. The Politix ides is where the money is at, but Topix isn’t going to reach what it could have because of, and I am not trying to be rude, but stubborness on their management’s part. When Topix becomes reputable, then I will consider Politix, but in the meantime I will continue to avoid Topix like the plague.
Mar 29, 2012
Thomas
Chris,
I don’t want to get into an argument with you. I am simply point out that Topix has so much bullying on it, the auidence doesn’t transcend over to what you are trying to do with Politix. I am not trying to cyberbully you in any shape or fashion. That certain was is not my intention. The 20/20 story was simply mentioned as an example of the reputation Topix has. The New York Times wrote a scathing one as well. You very well may have cooperated with the attorney, but if I am not mistaken, there was a court order requiring you to turn the information over. I guess that is technically cooperating but it is “forced” cooperation and there is a difference. If I was forced to comply with a court order, I would do it but it would likely be begrudingly and then I would try to put a spin on it.
As far as a small group complaining, that is not true. The Attorney General in my state has stated they receive more complaints about Topix than any other website. If I am not mistaken, you receive subpoenas on a regular basis and get thousands of complaints daily. That hardly constitutes a small group.
Also, you seem to categorize everything as being the same. City government is one thing. Criticizing a public officials policies is one thing, making up lies about the person or their family is something else. They are also public officials, private citizens didn’t make that choice and should be allowed to live a life in peace. A bad restaurant review is different than calling a person a drug user. There is a huge difference.
The issue isn’t so much anonymity as the fact Topix goes too far. Many sites use something like Disqus or LiveFrye that allow people to use user names if they choose but it also requires the user to register for an account and a few other guidelines in place. When I posted yesterday and today I was required to give a valid email address and had no problem in doing so.
The point is in this article you talked about growing your company and the new Politix website. I simply pointed out a flaw in the idea. Politix auidence is going to be those that use Topix and it is going to be very hard for you to expand behind the Topix users. The problem is Topix is known as a gossip site and that is the choice you made. Politix is going to be viewed the same way and quite possibly is going to draw more attention from politicians. Cleaning up Topix increases the likelihood Politix will be successful.
Mar 30, 2012
Lea Beasmore
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/online-gossip-destroys-mans-life-15991950
Mar 30, 2012
Lea Beasmore
P.S. I support your words Thomas and Stefanie.
Mar 30, 2012
Cherie
Chris,
I also agree with Thomas. Nobody is bullying you or Topix. We are not slamming you or your company in any way shape or form. The fact is that Joe Schmoe cheating on Jane Schmoe with Billy Joe Jimbob’s wife, or Bobby Sue’s STD is about as newsworthy as my big toe. That isn’t news, it’s garbage. Don’t take our word for it, just get on some of the forums and read some of the posts. Topix was originally meant to be a news and ad site not a gossip site. And there is way to much libel and bullying on Topix. We don’t have to say anything, the posts speak for themselves. There are innocent people whose lives are being destroyed because cowards use Topix as a vehicle for vicious lies, name calling and defamation. That’s wrong. I believe in Freedom of Speech. But you cross the line when you defame another human being and then it becomes slander or libel. Libel is not freedom of speech. Libel is libel plain and simple. Libel takes away a persons right to be happy and live in peace and prosperity. The idea of freedom of speech was never meant to infringe on the rights of another human being. Freedom of speech is a great thing. But we need to be aware and make sure that we don’t abuse it and cross over the line into libel or slander. As for the segment on 20/20, I feel Mr. Cooley’s pain. Just last year, my husband passed away and within a few hours after he was found, his death was posted on the town forum and I was libeled. That’s right. Several anonymous posters were posting ugly things about me- a grieving widow. And cowards like those will trash you when you are down and at your lowest point and that is wrong on so many levels. Remember, freedom of speech was not meant to violate the rights of another human being.
Mar 30, 2012
Stefanie
I apologize but I had to jump in on this interesting discussion as well. I speak only for myself but it is not a small group of people who dislike Topix. As a parent I am very concerned about what is basically hate speech and cyberbullying, so I have read a ton about Topix. I agree with Thomas that it isn’t a small group. From what I read, a few years ago 34 attorney generals contacted Topix because they had received so many complaints and then with the exception of paying, what was it like, 20 dollars to have your bullying complaint reviewed more quickly (sic), the company never complied with much else because I can tell you the forums I have seen are terrible. When 34 AG’s are in agreeance, it isn’t small. What really bothers me is I have found several links to stories about Topix and whenever the media gets on Topix, I keep reading things like we don’t want people to bully. Yet Topix hasn’t even required a simple thing like registration which many people want. What gets me is Mr.Tolles will say one thing to the media, but from what I read this past few weeks, whenever he gets on one of these Tech sites he criticizes the Attorney Generals and even on here states the internet is regulated too much. It strikes me, and I am speaking about the business aspect, not the person, that Topix management is talking out of both sides of their mouth. This is my thought. I read Topix has 350,000 plus forums, yet only five moderators who I also read have been known to go on Topix and at times instigate fights with other users to draw more comments (sic). Since Mr.Tolles basically has said on some tech sites anything goes and if he really believes libel and other hate speech is acceptable, why does he even have the five moderators? To me and this is from a mom’s perspective it is because deep down inside he knows a lot of what Topix does is wrong but the dollar signs get in the way. That is why Politix is never going to be a mass money maker because of the lack of concern for content throughout its product.
Mar 31, 2012
Lea Beasmore
Please come join our group effort on facebook.
BOYCOTT TOPIX IN KENTUCKY FOR OUR KIDS this is a group link
http://www.facebook.com/groups/106296572734830/
Boycott Topix in United States for Our Kids this is a page link
http://www.facebook.com/groups/106296572734830/#!/pages/Boycott-Topix-in-United-States-for-Our-Kids/214228471983487
Mar 31, 2012
Lea Beasmore
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-Topix-in-United-States-for-Our-Kids/214228471983487
Boycott Topix in United States for Our Kids sorry I believe I posted the wrong URL above for the page link. I posted the Group link to it as well. There are two links. One for a group and one for a page. Thank you.
Mar 31, 2012
Brandi
Topix is nothing but filth, so I highly suspect Politix will be the same because you are only as strong as your top company. I am like others here that would only consider Politix if Topix cleaned up its act which includes moderation and a sign in system like Facebook, Disqus,Live Frye, or Twitter. If Politix has a sign in, Topix should too.
Apr 14, 2012
attorney
Great post. I have recently been working with a number of law firms consulting them in why and how to integrate social media marketing into their overall marketing strategy.
Apr 16, 2012
Sabine F.
Where it leaves Topix, is still being arguably one of the most hated sites on the internet and undoubtedly one of the most abusive.
It’s disgustingly amazing that Chris Tolles shows up like clock work to defend any accusation that the unmoderated forums at Topix are a haven for abusive bullies who slander, libel and post garbage on a regular basis – which Topix then indexes with Google as if it was legitimate news.
Why does Chris Tolles not support the ideals of freedom of speech when he’s being criticized. Why does he lie about it?
Chris Tolles is well aware of the garbage content of his forums but he continues to argue for the right of freedom of speech as if it wasn’t garbage.
Chris Tolles knows for a fact that libel, slander and defamation are not protected forms of speech.
A typical bully tactic, read him above, pretending his site is the victim of bullying by stating that “haters” are just “hating” on the site, as if the claims being made against his site have no substance or validity.
But since when did abusive people ever take responsibility for hurting others?
There’s always a good reason why it’s okay, and in this case Chris Tolles is saying it is okay for his site to ruin the lies of innocent people, some who have nothing to do with his site (like myself) because he wants to give a platform for disordered, dysfunctional people to spout hate disguised as an opinion.
I’ve started a petition against their advertisers. The only thing Chris cares about is money. He doesn’t care about the users on his site that have made Topix successful, and he damn well knows Topix was NOT successful before they did away with registration in their forums and made it a free for all gossipfest for every disordered personality on the net.
Click on my name for the petition, but here is a better link — you want to see how dangerous and disastrous Topix can be?
http://sabinefaustin.blogspot.com/2012/05/topix-your-name-your-life-day-seven.html#more
Jun 5, 2012
Fink
I don’t know why people dislike Topix, so much. It’s an Internet forum and forums can get pretty heated sometimes and nasty things can be said. There are bigger issues with sites like blogspot. I know of a young woman who has been a victim of a vicious cyber stalker, who created a blog called desireespeakssoolisten.blogspot.com and does nothing but spread vicious lies and slander this innocent person. Google owns the blogging platform but they don’t seem to care that such sick twisted individuals can create vicious blogs (as the one I’ve mentioned above) and slander and harass innocent people online. At least with Topix, you can complain and have comments removed if they’ve gone overboard. But the big G. doesn’t care at all.
Jun 19, 2012
Arlene
Fink, are you a Topix regular? From what I read on your link everything that is said there has been backed by links and they are not lies at all. Respectfully, the person described on that blog doesn’t seem innocent at all, from what I can read in the screen caps and quotes. No one could have made all of that stuff up. Probably best that you not link that blog anywhere!
Staying anonymous when you’re telling the truth about a nasty person makes sense. I’m pretty sure the person that’s described in that link would attack anyone endlessly for the crime of being honest! Seems like she dished out her share of criticisms.
Those are the types of people who frequent Topix forums, the I can dish it out but can’t take it types. They take everything personal and to another level of nastiness.
Jul 9, 2012
Werner
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Jan 9, 2013