The Examiner.com Network of Sites
Examiner Operates 70 Informational Sites for U.S. Cities
Jun 2, 2009
Examiner.com, a large network of local sites, was launched by Clarity Media Group in 2008. The site is divided into hundreds of large and mid-market cities, catering to specific categories within those cities.
There are currently 70 cities that have examiner sites, and new ones are being created regularly. Examiner is based in Denver, Colo., and is owned by the parent company of Clarity Media Group, The Anschutz Company.
Local Editions
When a reader enters the Examiner website, their local site, or the closest one to their local area, is displayed. The page contains local news and the latest Examiner articles for the local area.
Each city edition of Examiner is divided into a number of categories. Each of those categories has subcategories that are written by one freelance writer. Each of the writers is called an Examiner. Each Examiner writes four articles per week for their subcategory, tying that subcategory to the local area. This is done to provide local information written by local people from this nation-wide website.
Freelance Writers
Each city that is covered by Examiner is written by independent freelance writers who serve a specific subcategory within their local market. The freelance writers they choose must live in the area and have experience with the subcategory they apply for.
Examiners are hired after a lengthy hiring process that includes submitting writing samples, a telephone interview and a background check. Once hired, Examiners are independent contractors who are not guaranteed any payment unless they get traffic to their articles and reach the minimum payout amount of $25.
Freelance writers are paid to write for Examiner once a month, making $10 for every thousand times their pages of content are viewed. There are no upfront payments for writers of any of the Examiner subcategories, inspiring controversy in online writing circles. Some writers express negative views about the site and its payment structure while others argue that the payments add up fairly over time.
Freelance writers can get involved in online writing for Examiner by clicking the Write For Us link located at the top of every Examiner page. This takes interested writers to the application areas where they can choose from among the dozens of subcategories ties to each local area.
Free Classified Ads
In addition to the city sites, Examiner also runs free classified ads from the site. An unlimited number of ads can be listed through the site, which can contain pictures. The site provides a means of staying anonymous while answering messages through the site's communication tools.
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