How we define a result
- Question
- Would a refresh keep the evergreen guides useful to qualified readers?
- Baseline
- July 2026: 4,350 qualified readers on the two guides
- Qualified reader
- Stays 60 seconds or more
- Verdict
- Refresh, keep or watch, decided with Maya
Traffic alone does not show a business effect, so the guides were prioritized on relevance and update effort, not on reader counts.
Decisions this period
| Article | August readers | vs July | What we recommend | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant protein guide | 2,240 | -50 | Replace outdated workflow screenshots, keep structure | Refresh |
| Shelf life testing guide | 2,140 | +80 | Replace outdated workflow screenshots, add the shelf life study term | Refresh |
| Fermentation basics | 1,780 | +60 | No change, part 2 in drafting | Keep |
| Clean label glossary | 1,310 | +25 | Engaged time is 97 seconds, lowest of the top eight | Watch |
Both refresh briefs are in the editorial workflow and the refreshed guides publish by Oct 30.
What to watch before the next readout
| Item | Status | Review by |
|---|---|---|
| Plant protein guide refresh | Brief waiting on your approval | 4 weeks after publication |
| Shelf life testing guide refresh | Brief waiting on your approval | 4 weeks after publication |
| Clean label glossary | Additions in expert review | Nov 16, 2026 |
| September readers note | Draft, internal until you publish it | After Sep 30 |
What happens after a refresh verdict
- Verdict recordedSep 18
- Refresh briefsYour approval, Oct 2
- Refreshed guides liveBy Oct 30
- Engagement comparedWith seasonality noted
"We refresh a guide because readers still rely on it and the update is worth the effort. Reader counts tell us where to look, not what the refresh achieved." Felix Grant, editorial director.