Proof of Usefulness Report

theSkimm

Analysis completed on 1/31/2026

+690
Proof of Usefulness Score
Category Standard

theSkimm is a highly established media brand with significant market penetration (7M+ subscribers) and verifiable traction (NYT Bestseller, widespread adoption). While the project itself is a proven success with high utility and reach, the specific submission form was completed with low effort (e.g., claiming 'everyone' as audience and 'film' as a primary tech), resulting in penalties for response quality. The score reflects the massive scale and stability of the business, adjusted downward slightly for the submission's lack of specific data granularity.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+225
Audience Reach Impact+180
Technical Innovation+45
Evidence Of Traction+237.5
Market Timing Relevance+70
Functional Completeness+5
Subtotal+762.5
Usefulness Multiplierx0.90
Final Score+686

Project Details

Project URL
theskimm.com
Description
theSkimm is a mission-driven media company dedicated to giving millennial women the information they need to live their smartest lives. Since launching in 2012, theSkimm has become a trusted source for a community of millions of Skimm’rs by seamlessly integrating into their existing routines, fundamentally changing the way its audience consumes news and makes decisions. theSkimm's flagship product, the Daily Skimm, is still the fastest growing newsletter on the market, and its sub-brands have expanded to help this audience maneuver through life’s necessities – from news, to money, wellness, career, and recommendations. The company’s product suite has grown to include three top-rated podcasts (Skimm This, 9 to 5ish, and Pop Cultured), theSkimm app, Skimm Money and Skimm Your Life newsletters, and Skimm Studios, its in-house production team that creates engaging video and audio content. theSkimm’s first book, How to Skimm Your Life, was released in June 2019 and debuted at #1 on The New York Times Best Seller list.

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