The Role of Content Aggregation Tools Across Industries

Today, the sheer volume of information that can be found online can be more than just a little overwhelming. Business professionals and consumers now have a reliance on content aggregation tools to filter, organise, and deliver content that’s relevant. The number of aggregation tools is growing and, as you read on, we’ll be exploring the various types and how they are used within multiple industries.

What Are Aggregator Tools?

These tools are basically digital platforms that help to collect, organise, and distribute content. This content comes from a range of sources and is put into a single structured format. The advantage of these platforms is that they allow users to streamline their information consumption. They do this by providing content that’s relevant and up to date, while also being focused on specific topics or industries.

These aggregators work by using algorithms that are able to pull data from sources across the web. These include websites, news portals, blogs, and social media platforms. The result is that users receive  a curated selection of the information that really matters.

Content aggregators such as Hub88 and others specialise in industry-specific aggregation. This offers businesses and professionals a way to keep up to date with relevant insights without the need to carry out time consuming manual research.

Types of Content Aggregation Tools

Each type of aggregation tool is designed to serve specific needs and functions. Here’s a look at the main types:

News Aggregators

These are used to compile news articles and updates from a range of sources. They provide users with a centralised platform that’s able to keep them fully informed. There are many news aggregators out there, and just some of these include:

• Google News
• Flipboard
• Feedly

The big advantages here are that time is saved as news is consolidated from various sources. There’s also a reduction in any bias as viewpoints are represented from across the board. A range of industries benefit from this, such as media, journalism, public relations, and corporate communications.

Social Media Aggregators

These tools are used to collect and display social media posts that come from different platforms. This allows businesses to keep an eye on trends, as well as to track mentions and engage with their audiences. Prime examples here include:

• Hootsuite
• Sprout Social
• Tagboard

The key advantage here is that the use of these tools allow for real-time monitoring of brand mentions and trends. They also help to boost audience engagement by centralising social interactions. On top of this, they also assist marketers to track the performance of campaigns.

Industries that tap into the advantages on offer include digital marketing, retail, customer support, and public relations.

RSS Feed Aggregators

RSS (really simple syndication) aggregators allow users to subscribe to a number of websites and then receive updates in the same place. Examples of tools include:

• Feedly
• Inoreader
• NewsBlur

The use of these aggregators mean that there’s no longer a need to visit numerous websites to glean information. There’s also the opportunity to enjoy a reading experience that’s ad-free and streamlined at the same time.

The industries that benefit the most here include blogging, journalism, research, and education.

Content Curation Tools

By using content curation tools, users are able to find, organise, and share high-quality content with audiences. Examples here include:

• Pocket
• it
• Curata

Content curation tools make it much quicker to find and then share the content. They can also help to boost credibility by giving the ability to share relevant industry insights. There are also opportunities to assist with knowledge management and thought leadership.

The kind of industries that benefit from content curation tools include content marketing, professional development, and business development.

Financial and Stock Market Aggregators

These aggregators work by providing real-time updates on financial markets. This includes the position of stock prices as well as relevant economic news. Some of the biggest names in this area are:

• Bloomberg Terminal
• Yahoo Finance
• MarketWatch

By using these tools, investors can monitor real-time financial data. This assists them with making informed decisions by providing analytical tools for stock market trends.

Here, it’s industries such as finance, investment banking, and wealth management that benefit the most.

E-Commerce Aggregators

The role of e-commerce aggregators is to compile product listings, reviews, and price comparisons. The data here is taken from a wide range of online stores. Some of the aggregators doing this include:

• Google Shopping
• PriceGrabber
• Honey

There are clear advantages here for consumers who are able to find the best available deals with ease. The bringing together of detailed reviews also makes it easier for buyers to make informed choices rather than simply taking a risk.

Industries benefiting from e-commerce aggregators are retail, e-commerce, consumer goods, and digital marketing.

Healthcare and Medical Research Aggregators

These tools bring together research papers as well as medical news and clinical studies. This means that healthcare professionals and researchers can access a host of information from a single source.  Examples of these aggregators include:

• PubMed
• Medscape
• UpToDate

Users of these tools benefit from access to the very latest medical research. There’s support for evidence-based practice and informed decision making too. The key benefit is that medical professionals are kept fully up to date with new treatments as well as any new guidelines that are issued.

Final Thoughts

Content aggregation tools play a hugely significant role across a range of industries. They have the ability to simplify information, improve efficiency, and to enable effective decision-making. Whether your interest lies in news, finance, healthcare, or more these tools can provide real value by bridging together content that’s relevant and then sharing it in a single place. This allows industries to save the time that it takes to carry out manual research across a range of sources.

Right now, content aggregation is still in relatively early days. The reality is that technology will continue to develop and this will have a knock-on effect on future tools. This will lead to content that’s more personalised with insights that are more intelligent than ever.