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Arizona Republic’s Website Undergoes Technology Update, Leaving Some Browsers Behind
The Arizona Republic’s digital platform, azcentral.com, has implemented significant technological updates aimed at enhancing user experience, but the changes have left some readers using older browsers unable to access content.
The news outlet, one of the largest in the Southwest and a key component of the Gannett publishing network, recently updated its website infrastructure to leverage newer web technologies. These improvements were designed to create a faster, more responsive experience for the majority of its digital audience.
“Azcentral.com wants to ensure the best experience for all of our readers, so we built our site to take advantage of the latest technology, making it faster and easier to use,” reads a message displayed to users attempting to access the site with unsupported browsers.
The technological overhaul comes amid growing competition in the digital news landscape, where user experience metrics like page load speed and mobile responsiveness increasingly influence reader retention and advertising revenue. Industry analysts note that news organizations nationwide are investing heavily in their digital infrastructure to meet evolving consumer expectations.
Users attempting to access the site with outdated browsers now receive a notification explaining that their current browser is incompatible with the new platform. The message directs readers to “download one of these browsers for the best experience on azcentral.com,” though specific browser recommendations aren’t detailed in the initial notice.
This development reflects a broader trend in digital publishing where websites are increasingly abandoning support for legacy browsers that lack modern capabilities. While this approach allows for more advanced features and improved security, it can create access challenges for readers using older devices or operating systems.
The Phoenix metropolitan area, azcentral.com’s primary market, has a diverse population including significant numbers of older residents and communities with varying levels of technological access. Some digital inclusion advocates have expressed concerns about how such technological requirements might affect access to essential local news and information.
Digital media consultant Maria Ramirez, who specializes in news platform optimization, explained the balance news organizations must strike. “Publishers today face difficult choices between embracing new technologies that improve the experience for most users and maintaining accessibility for everyone. Each upgrade potentially leaves some readers behind, particularly those using older devices.”
Industry standards typically recommend supporting browsers used by at least 95% of a site’s audience. For major news platforms like azcentral.com, this often means supporting the current version and one previous version of major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
The Arizona Republic, founded in 1890, has evolved significantly in recent years as it transitions from its traditional print roots to a digital-first publication strategy. This website update represents another step in that ongoing transformation as the organization seeks to remain competitive in a challenging media environment.
For affected users, the solution requires downloading and installing a modern browser, which may present challenges for those with limited technical knowledge or using older hardware that cannot support current browser versions.
Azcentral.com has not specified exactly which browser versions are now unsupported, nor have they announced any alternative access methods for readers unable to upgrade their browsing software. Media analysts suggest that news organizations implementing similar changes typically maintain some form of simplified access option for users with technical limitations.
The site continues to offer its content through mobile applications for iOS and Android, which may provide an alternative access point for some affected users.
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8 Comments
Digital news is a competitive landscape, so it makes sense that the Arizona Republic would want to stay current with the latest web standards. I’m curious to see if this upgrade results in tangible improvements in reader engagement and retention.
Website performance and responsiveness are critical for news outlets trying to attract and retain readers in the digital age. I wonder if the Arizona Republic conducted user testing to understand the needs and pain points of its audience before implementing these changes.
That’s a great question. User research and testing would be crucial to ensure the website upgrades truly meet the needs of their readership.
As someone who values a seamless digital reading experience, I’m glad to see the Arizona Republic investing in its website infrastructure. However, I hope they find a way to support older browsers without compromising the user experience for the majority of their audience.
Interesting to see news outlets investing in website upgrades to keep up with evolving web technologies and user expectations. Curious to learn more about the specific improvements made to azcentral.com and how they aim to enhance the reader experience.
The news industry is under constant pressure to adapt to evolving digital trends, so it’s not surprising to see the Arizona Republic making these kinds of technology updates. I’m curious to learn more about the specific user experience improvements they’re aiming to deliver.
As a frequent reader of online news, I appreciate when sites prioritize performance and usability. However, it’s important to ensure older browsers aren’t left behind, so I hope the Arizona Republic finds a balance that works for all its audience.
That’s a good point. News sites need to carefully manage the tradeoffs between leveraging the latest web tech and maintaining broad accessibility.