Discover & Preserve Quality Content: Content Curation Tools

With my new blog now being online and the process of consistently generating fresh content being very demanding, I also recognized the abundance of quality material already in existence, waiting to be shared. However, navigating the online landscape has become challenging: many websites bombard readers with advertisements, obscuring the actual content, while others rely solely on AI, resulting in less-than-satisfying reading experiences.

In the course of my research, I routinely save valuable material, prompting the question—why not curate and share the noteworthy content I’ve diligently bookmarked over the years? Is that even allowed?

My penchant for curating traces back to the early 2000s with the appearance of del.icio.us, a bookmarking website that, though it changed hands and eventually faded away, ignited my passion for collecting and organizing content. Or maybe it’s even related to my earlier days of collecting guidebooks, a practice that has come full circle as I now find myself creating travel guidebooks, which also includes collecting and presenting good resources for travelers.

So, let’s delve into the art of content curation together—a process of gathering, organizing, and appreciating the internet’s hidden gems. How do you compile a collection of valuable websites or topics for later review? Or do you even share your findings in one way or another?

Here are a couple of YouTube videos about this topic, that I found very inspiring and like to share:

What does Content Curation mean?

Content curation is like crafting your own personal tour guide in the vast world of online information.

• For yourself, it means that you organize interesting websites, resources, and stories in a bookmarking tool or your browser.
• For consumers, it means someone has carefully picked and organized valuable content on specific topics, saving you time and ensuring you get the best insights without the overwhelmed.
• Bloggers benefit by becoming trusted experts in their niche, guiding their audience through a curated experience.
• For businesses, content curation is a strategic way to showcase expertise, build credibility, and keep their audience engaged with relevant and valuable information, ultimately strengthening their brand presence in the digital space.

You see, nowadays content curation has become a universal practice in one way or another: whether sharing noteworthy, humorous, or thought-provoking stories on social media, we all contribute to the curation phenomenon. Important is to acknowledge the source of the content and not to label curated content as your own.

Why do I find Content Curation important?

As mentioned in my introduction, in the digital era, the constant influx of information can make valuable content easily overlooked. On my blog, centered around Wellness, Lifestyle, and Travel, I strive to discover and share quality resources that also include some of my favorite topics in Art, Design, Technology, Photography, Life, Self-Improvement, and more. I aim to inform individuals and businesses of noteworthy content, the latest trends, developments, and industry news. Ideally, it transforms into a compelling go-to-destination, as there exists exceptional content waiting to be shared and explored.

In the context of content curation, I’d like to highlight some tools that I either use or recommend to create your personal content collections, or that can be helpful for blog owners or businesses.

Content Curation Tools

I’ve explored various tools in recent years, each serving distinct purposes. I trust that some of these tools may prove beneficial for your needs in different capacities.

Before I delve into the suggested software, I would like to mention Pinterest first. It is one of the most famous platforms for personal content curation. In case you’re unfamiliar, it’s a visual-driven social media platform where users explore and bookmark ideas in home decor, recipes, fashion, and more. But more about Pinterest later.

Personal Content Curation

For personal use, I suggest the following free tools:

Instapaper 🔗

I have loved using Instapaper for years. It is a web-based service and application that allows users to save articles and web content for later reading. Users can save articles, blog posts, and other web content to their Instapaper account, creating a curated reading list super easy via one click in their browser extension. Instapaper also removes distractions such as ads and sidebars, providing a clean and focused reading experience. This is particularly useful for users who want to concentrate on the content without the clutter. And one of Instapaper’s standout features is the ability to download saved articles for offline reading. This is beneficial for users who want to access content without an internet connection, such as during flights or in areas with limited connectivity.

Similar to Instapaper I like to mention the following two content aggregation platforms that both also come with browser extensions for easy use.

Flipboard 🔗

Reads like a magazine and is a personalized content aggregation platform that transforms news articles, social media feeds, and other web content into a visually stunning digital magazine tailored to individual interests.

Pocket 🔗

GetPocket.com is a content-saving platform that lets users bookmark articles, videos, and web content to access later in a clutter-free and easily digestible format. With offline accessibility and cross-platform synchronization, Pocket simplifies the process of curating and enjoying content across various devices.

Content Curation for bloggers and businesses

Elink.io 🔗

Just like the tools mentioned above, elink.io also provides free membership for personal bookmarking of online content and has a comfortable browser extension.

But I have recently started to use this service with a paid membership. It is an easy-to-use content curation tool that helps bloggers and businesses aggregate and visually present diverse content types, including articles, images, and documents. I like how it helps me organize bookmarks to save for either content sharing or research. All of the visual content shared in this article is compiled with elink.io. It offers customizable templates and seamless integration with social media, newsletters, and WordPress integration, it streamlines the process of creating engaging, shareable content.

Strategic Content Sharing

If you are maintaining a blog the following content publishing platforms offer a great opportunity to share your original content and to help people find your website.

Medium (estimated monthly traffic 49 Million)

Medium.com is a popular online publishing platform that allows users to create and share articles on a wide range of topics, providing a curated space for writers and readers to engage with thoughtful and diverse content. With a clean and user-friendly interface, Medium has become a go-to platform for individuals and publications seeking a broader audience for their written work.

Pinterest (estimated monthly traffic of 1.4 Billion)

Depending on your niche Pinterest can be the most powerful marketing tool for bloggers and businesses, offering a unique visual platform to showcase products, services, and content. By creating engaging Pins, businesses can drive traffic to their websites, increase brand visibility, and connect with a highly engaged audience. Pinterest also facilitates e-commerce through features like Shop the Look, making it a valuable resource for businesses looking to leverage the platform for both inspiration and direct consumer engagement. I am a very visual person and I enjoy creating those beautiful pins for my blog articles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, content curation tools can be super helpful in navigating the digital landscape. As much as I love to share my stories, I also recognize the challenge of consistently generating fresh content, hence I also consider sharing my curated content that offers a wealth of quality material already available.

As we explore tools like Instapaper, Flipboard, Pocket, and elink.io, their unique features contribute to efficient curation for personal and professional use. For bloggers and businesses, Medium and Pinterest emerge as invaluable platforms for sharing original content and amplifying audience reach.

Let me know, if you use other tools or give me your feedback if you happen to try any of the recommended software. Thank you.