Proof of Usefulness Report

Houston Chronicle

Analysis completed on 1/23/2026

+657
Proof of Usefulness Score
Category Standard

The Houston Chronicle (chron.com) is a legacy media institution with massive verifiable reach and utility, despite a low-effort submission. While the submission lacks detail ('most people have used my product'), external verification confirms it as a dominant regional news entity with millions of monthly visitors. The project scores highly on utility, reach, and traction due to its established market position (founded 1901), but suffers in technical innovation (standard publishing stack) and response quality. The score reflects a 'Much larger scale' entity per calibration, adjusted downward for the lack of specific evidence provided by the submitter.

Ready to Compete for $150k+ in Prizes?

Move this data into a HackerNoon blog draft to become eligible for your share of $150k+ in cash and software prizes

View All Reports

Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+225.0
Audience Reach Impact+190.0
Technical Innovation+42.0
Evidence Of Traction+190.0
Market Timing Relevance+65.0
Functional Completeness+2.5
Subtotal+714.5
Usefulness Multiplierx0.92
Final Score+657

Project Details

Project URL
Description
The Houston Chronicle is a major daily newspaper based in Houston, Texas, and operates under the domain chron.com. It is one of the largest newspapers in the United States and serves as a primary source of news and information for the Houston metropolitan area. The publication covers a wide range of topics, including local and national news, politics, business, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. The Houston Chronicle is known for its in-depth reporting, investigative journalism, and comprehensive coverage of events affecting the Houston community and beyond. Through its digital platform, chron.com, the newspaper provides up-to-date news and multimedia content to its readers.

Algorithm Insights

Market Position
Strong market validation with clear user adoption patterns
User Engagement
Documented reach suggests active user community
Technical Stack
Modern tech stack aligned with sponsor technologies

Recommendations to Increase Usefulness Score

Document User Growth

Provide specific metrics on user acquisition and retention rates

Showcase Revenue Model

Detail sustainable monetization strategy and current revenue streams

Expand Evidence Base

Include testimonials, case studies, and third-party validation

Technical Roadmap

Share development milestones and feature completion timeline