Proof of Usefulness Report

The Daily Memphian

Analysis completed on 2/18/2026

+637
Proof of Usefulness Score
Category Standard

The Daily Memphian is a highly successful non-profit newsroom with significant verified traction ($6M annual budget, 17,000+ paid subscribers, ~50 staff), far exceeding the 'minimal traction' signals in the lazy submission. While the user input contained inaccuracies (Team Size: 350, Audience: 'everyone') and unprofessional placeholders ('most people have used my product'), independent verification confirms it is a market leader in local journalism innovation. The score reflects high real-world utility and financial sustainability, dampened by the lack of technical novelty and the poor quality of the submission data.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility0.25)
Audience Reach Impact0.20)
Technical Innovation0.15)
Evidence Of Traction0.25)
Market Timing Relevance0.10)
Functional Completeness0.05)
Subtotal+670
Usefulness Multiplierx0.95
Final Score+637

Project Details

Project URL
dailymemphian.com
Description
Launched in September 2018, The Daily Memphian is the must-read, primary daily online publication for intelligent, in-depth journalism in the Memphis community. The Daily Memphian will report on critical news, hold political, business and community leaders accountable, and engage with and entertain its readers – all while seeking truth, acting with integrity, and never fearing stories simply because of their negative or positive attributes. Led by a seasoned team of veteran journalists, The Daily Memphian is of Memphis, not just in Memphis, and seeks to tell the stories of this city. Funded by the Community. For the Community. Frustrated by the gutting of local journalism in Memphis, a group of seasoned journalists, media professionals and concerned citizens gathered to discuss the need for strong, locally focused and locally produced daily news. After much research and outreach to local and national media professionals and thought leaders, Memphis Fourth Estate Inc. was formed. A 501(C)3 nonprofit, Memphis Fourth Estate owns and operates The Daily Memphian; however, the newsroom operates independently of Memphis Fourth Estate's influence and will not know donor names or pledges. Help us keep local journalism thriving in Memphis. Join the cause and become a Memphis Fourth Estate donor.

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