Proof of Usefulness Report

Paste Magazine

Analysis completed on 2/17/2026

+575
Proof of Usefulness Score
Industry Mainstay

Paste Magazine is a well-established pop culture publication (founded 1998) with significant verifiable reach, recently expanding through the acquisition of Jezebel and Splinter. While the submission quality is notably poor (vague claims, unprofessional phrasing), external validation confirms it is a major media entity with millions of monthly visitors and a large operational team. The project scores highly on traction and reach but low on technical innovation and response quality.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+187.5
Audience Reach Impact+170.0
Technical Innovation+15.0
Evidence Of Traction+180.0
Market Timing Relevance+50.0
Functional Completeness+2.5
Subtotal+605
Usefulness Multiplierx0.95
Final Score+575

Project Details

Description
Paste is the premier pop culture destination for discerning readers who prize substance and authenticity. Our mission is to discover and share Signs of Life in pop culture, covering the best in music, movies, books, TV, videogames and lifestyle. In 2023, Paste also acquired Jezebel.com and Splinter.com.

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