Welcome!

Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.

The Verge Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

Home Return to Study Hints Random
Global Score: 0
Trophies: 0 🏆

‹ Back

Score: 0 / 100

Study Guide: The Verge: A Comprehensive History of a Technology Media Platform

Cheat Sheet:
The Verge: A Comprehensive History of a Technology Media Platform Study Guide

Founding and Initial Growth (2011-2014)

The Verge is primarily known for its coverage of political news and current events, rather than technology.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Verge is explicitly identified as an American technology news and media website, publishing content such as news, feature stories, guidebooks, product reviews, and consumer electronics news.

Return to Game

The Verge was officially launched in late 2011, utilizing a proprietary publishing platform called Chorus.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Verge was officially launched on November 1, 2011, and utilizes Vox Media's proprietary multimedia publishing platform known as Chorus.

Return to Game

Jim Bankoff and Marty Moe were the sole creators of The Verge, with Joshua Topolsky joining later.

Answer: False

Explanation: Joshua Topolsky was one of the primary creators of The Verge, alongside Jim Bankoff and Marty Moe, not a later addition.

Return to Game

In 2012, The Verge received a single Webby Award for Best Podcast.

Answer: False

Explanation: In 2012, The Verge received five Webby Awards, not just one, which included categories such as Best Writing (Editorial), Best Podcast, Best Visual Design, Best Consumer Electronics Site, and Best Mobile News App.

Return to Game

The departure of key staff from Engadget in early 2011, including Joshua Topolsky and Nilay Patel, was a direct precursor to the formation of The Verge.

Answer: True

Explanation: Between March and April 2011, key staff members, including Joshua Topolsky and Nilay Patel, left Engadget to establish a new gadget site, which became The Verge.

Return to Game

Topolsky chose to partner with SB Nation due to their extensive financial backing and established advertising network.

Answer: False

Explanation: Joshua Topolsky's primary rationale for partnering with SB Nation was their shared interest in the future of publishing, independent journalism, and the development of in-house content delivery tools, not primarily financial backing or advertising network.

Return to Game

At its launch, The Verge had a modest initial audience of under one million unique visitors.

Answer: False

Explanation: At its launch on November 1, 2011, The Verge reported an initial audience of 4 million unique visitors, which is significantly more than under one million.

Return to Game

Which of the following types of content is NOT explicitly mentioned as being published by The Verge?

Answer: Political analyses

Explanation: The Verge is identified as a technology news and media website that publishes news, feature stories, guidebooks, product reviews, consumer electronics news, and podcasts, but not explicitly political analyses.

Return to Game

On what date was The Verge officially launched?

Answer: November 1, 2011

Explanation: The Verge was officially launched on November 1, 2011.

Return to Game

Who among the following was NOT a primary creator of The Verge?

Answer: Nilay Patel

Explanation: The primary creators of The Verge were Joshua Topolsky, Jim Bankoff, and Marty Moe. Nilay Patel was a key early staff member and later editor-in-chief, but not listed as a primary creator.

Return to Game

How many Webby Awards did The Verge win in 2012?

Answer: Five

Explanation: In 2012, The Verge was awarded five Webby Awards for its various online content and design.

Return to Game

The mass departure of staff from Engadget that led to The Verge's creation occurred between which months in 2011?

Answer: March and April

Explanation: The mass departure of writers, editors, and product developers from Engadget, which directly preceded the formation of The Verge, occurred between March and April 2011.

Return to Game

What was Joshua Topolsky's primary rationale for partnering with SB Nation?

Answer: Their shared interest in the future of publishing and independent journalism.

Explanation: Joshua Topolsky cited SB Nation's shared vision for the future of publishing, including a commitment to independent journalism and the development of proprietary content delivery tools, as the primary reason for the partnership.

Return to Game

What was the name of the interim site that hosted the Engadget podcast before The Verge's official launch?

Answer: This Is My Next

Explanation: Before The Verge's official launch, the Engadget podcast was hosted on an interim site named 'This Is My Next'.

Return to Game

How many unique visitors did The Verge report at its launch on November 1, 2011?

Answer: 4 million

Explanation: Upon its launch on November 1, 2011, The Verge reported an initial audience of 4 million unique visitors.

Return to Game

Content Diversification and Platform Evolution (2013-2017)

The name 'This Is My Next' was permanently retired after The Verge's launch and never reused.

Answer: False

Explanation: The name 'This Is My Next' was repurposed by The Verge in June 2014 as a new section dedicated to consumer electronics buyer's guides.

Return to Game

The Verge launched its science section, 'Verge Science,' in 2013, with Katie Drummond leading the initiative.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Verge launched its 'Verge Science' section in 2013, and Katie Drummond, a former editor at Wired magazine, was appointed to lead this new initiative.

Return to Game

Walt Mossberg joined The Verge's editing team before Vox Media acquired Recode.

Answer: False

Explanation: Journalist Walt Mossberg joined The Verge's editing team in 2015, specifically after Vox Media acquired the technology news site Recode.

Return to Game

By 2016, The Verge maintained a traditional advertising strategy focused solely on display advertisements matched with article content.

Answer: False

Explanation: By 2016, The Verge's advertising strategy had evolved from traditional display advertisements to a more personalized approach, including partnerships and ads adjusted to individual users.

Return to Game

The Verge's fifth anniversary in 2016 included a visual redesign and a new logo featuring a modified Penrose triangle.

Answer: True

Explanation: For its fifth anniversary in November 2016, The Verge underwent a visual redesign, including a new logo that incorporated a modified Penrose triangle.

Return to Game

Deputy editor Chris Ziegler was fired from The Verge because of poor performance in his editorial duties.

Answer: False

Explanation: Deputy editor Chris Ziegler was fired in September 2016 after it was discovered he had been secretly working for Apple since July of that year while still employed by The Verge.

Return to Game

The 'Guidebook' section, introduced in 2017, was specifically created for technology product reviews.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Guidebook' section, launched by The Verge in 2017, was specifically designed to host technology product reviews and offer comprehensive buying advice.

Return to Game

How was the name 'This Is My Next' repurposed by The Verge in June 2014?

Answer: As a section dedicated to consumer electronics buyer's guides.

Explanation: In June 2014, The Verge launched a new section titled 'This Is My Next,' which functioned as a buyer's guide for consumer electronics.

Return to Game

Who was appointed to lead The Verge's new science section, 'Verge Science,' launched in 2013?

Answer: Katie Drummond

Explanation: Katie Drummond, a former editor at Wired magazine, was appointed to lead The Verge's new 'Verge Science' section, which launched in 2013.

Return to Game

When did journalist Walt Mossberg join The Verge's editing team?

Answer: In 2015, after Vox Media acquired Recode.

Explanation: Journalist Walt Mossberg joined The Verge's editing team in 2015, following Vox Media's acquisition of the technology news site Recode.

Return to Game

How did The Verge's advertising strategy evolve by 2016?

Answer: It shifted to a more personalized approach with user-adjusted ads.

Explanation: By 2016, The Verge's advertising strategy had transitioned from traditional display advertisements to a more personalized model, incorporating partnerships and advertisements tailored to individual users.

Return to Game

What optical illusion was incorporated into The Verge's new logo during its fifth-anniversary revamp in 2016?

Answer: The Penrose triangle

Explanation: During its fifth-anniversary revamp in November 2016, The Verge introduced a new logo that featured a modified Penrose triangle, an optical illusion.

Return to Game

Why was deputy editor Chris Ziegler fired from The Verge in September 2016?

Answer: For secretly working for Apple while still employed by The Verge.

Explanation: Deputy editor Chris Ziegler was terminated from The Verge in September 2016 after it was discovered he had been secretly employed by Apple since July of that year, creating a conflict of interest.

Return to Game

What was the purpose of the 'Guidebook' section introduced by The Verge in 2017?

Answer: To host technology product reviews and buying advice.

Explanation: The 'Guidebook' section, launched by The Verge in 2017, was specifically designed to provide technology product reviews and comprehensive buying advice to its readership.

Return to Game

Leadership, Rebranding, and Business Strategy (2014-Present)

Nilay Patel became editor-in-chief of The Verge immediately upon its launch in 2011.

Answer: False

Explanation: Nilay Patel assumed the role of editor-in-chief in mid-2014, succeeding Joshua Topolsky, and was not the editor-in-chief at launch in 2011.

Return to Game

Dieter Bohn resigned as Executive Editor of The Verge in March 2022 to pursue a career in independent journalism.

Answer: False

Explanation: Dieter Bohn resigned as Executive Editor of The Verge in March 2022 to take a new position at Google, not to pursue independent journalism.

Return to Game

The Verge's 2022 rebranding included a new homepage format designed to resemble a news feed, integrating external conversations.

Answer: True

Explanation: The September 2022 rebranding of The Verge included a redesigned website with a new homepage format intended to resemble a news feed, which integrated external conversations from social media and other publications.

Return to Game

The Verge introduced a paywall for all its content in December 2024, making all articles subscription-only.

Answer: False

Explanation: In December 2024, The Verge began implementing a paywall for *certain* content, not all articles, requiring a subscription for access to premium features.

Return to Game

Nilay Patel indicated that the subscription model was primarily motivated by a desire to increase profit margins significantly.

Answer: False

Explanation: Nilay Patel stated that the primary motivation for the subscription model was to ensure the financial viability of rigorous, independent journalism in an increasingly challenging market, rather than solely to increase profit margins.

Return to Game

The Verge's 2022 rebranding aimed to reduce aggregation reporting by integrating external conversations into its homepage.

Answer: True

Explanation: The September 2022 rebranding of The Verge included a new homepage format designed to integrate external conversations and reporting from other publications, with the specific aim of reducing aggregation reporting.

Return to Game

The Verge's paywall, implemented in December 2024, offers exclusive features such as premium reports and fewer advertisements.

Answer: True

Explanation: The subscription service introduced by The Verge in December 2024 offers exclusive features such as premium reports, newsletters, reviews, and a reduction in advertisements.

Return to Game

Who succeeded Joshua Topolsky as editor-in-chief of The Verge in mid-2014?

Answer: Nilay Patel

Explanation: Nilay Patel became the editor-in-chief of The Verge in mid-2014, taking over from Joshua Topolsky.

Return to Game

Where did Dieter Bohn move to after resigning as Executive Editor of The Verge in March 2022?

Answer: Google

Explanation: After resigning as Executive Editor of The Verge in March 2022, Dieter Bohn transitioned to a new role at Google.

Return to Game

Which of the following was a key element of The Verge's rebranding and website redesign in September 2022?

Answer: A new homepage format designed to resemble a news feed.

Explanation: A central component of The Verge's September 2022 rebranding and website redesign was the introduction of a new homepage format structured to resemble a news feed, which integrated external conversations.

Return to Game

When did The Verge begin implementing a paywall for certain content?

Answer: December 2024

Explanation: The Verge initiated the implementation of a paywall for select content in December 2024.

Return to Game

According to Nilay Patel, what was the primary motivation for The Verge's move to a subscription model?

Answer: To secure the financial viability of rigorous, independent journalism.

Explanation: Nilay Patel articulated that the primary driver for adopting a subscription model was to ensure the financial sustainability of the rigorous, independent journalism that The Verge aims to produce in a challenging market.

Return to Game

What was the aim of The Verge's 2022 website redesign regarding aggregation reporting?

Answer: To reduce aggregation reporting by integrating external conversations into a news feed format.

Explanation: The 2022 website redesign for The Verge aimed to reduce aggregation reporting by incorporating external conversations from social media and other publications into a new news feed-like homepage format.

Return to Game

Which of the following is an exclusive feature offered by The Verge's subscription service, implemented in December 2024?

Answer: Premium reports, newsletters, and fewer advertisements.

Explanation: The subscription service introduced by The Verge in December 2024 provides exclusive features such as premium reports, newsletters, and a reduced number of advertisements.

Return to Game

Multimedia Productions and Digital Series

The Verge Science YouTube channel had over 1 million subscribers by January 2019.

Answer: False

Explanation: By January 2019, The Verge Science YouTube channel had over 638,000 subscribers, not exceeding 1 million until August 2023.

Return to Game

The Vergecast is a weekly live podcast produced by The Verge.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Vergecast is explicitly identified as a live weekly podcast produced by The Verge.

Return to Game

The podcast 'Ctrl-Walt-Delete' received a Podcast Award in 2018.

Answer: False

Explanation: The podcast 'Why'd You Push That Button?' received a Podcast Award in the 'This Week in Tech Technology Category' in 2018, not 'Ctrl-Walt-Delete'.

Return to Game

The 'Decoder' podcast increased its frequency to two episodes per week starting in February 2024.

Answer: True

Explanation: On February 8, 2024, it was announced that The Verge's 'Decoder' podcast would increase its publication frequency to two episodes per week.

Return to Game

The Verge's web television series, 'On The Verge,' adopted a format similar to a traditional morning news show.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Verge's web television series, 'On The Verge,' adopted a format similar to a late-night talk show, not a traditional morning news show.

Return to Game

'Circuit Breaker,' a gadget blog by The Verge, had amassed nearly one million Facebook followers by 2017.

Answer: True

Explanation: 'Circuit Breaker,' a gadget blog launched by The Verge in 2016, had accumulated nearly one million Facebook followers by 2017.

Return to Game

The Verge partnered with HBO in 2016 for a digital after-show for 'Game of Thrones.'

Answer: False

Explanation: In 2016, The Verge partnered with USA Network for the 'Mr. Robot Digital After Show,' not with HBO for a 'Game of Thrones' after-show.

Return to Game

By August 2023, what was the approximate number of subscribers for The Verge Science YouTube channel?

Answer: 1.15 million

Explanation: By August 2023, The Verge Science YouTube channel had grown to over 1.15 million subscribers.

Return to Game

Which of the following podcasts is hosted by The Verge's editor-in-chief, Nilay Patel?

Answer: Decoder

Explanation: The 'Decoder' podcast is hosted by The Verge's editor-in-chief, Nilay Patel.

Return to Game

Which Verge podcast received a Podcast Award in the 'This Week in Tech Technology Category' in 2018?

Answer: Why'd You Push That Button?

Explanation: The podcast 'Why'd You Push That Button?', co-hosted by Ashley Carman and Kaitlyn Tiffany, was honored with a Podcast Award in the 'This Week in Tech Technology Category' in 2018.

Return to Game

What change was announced for the 'Decoder' podcast's schedule on February 8, 2024?

Answer: It would increase its frequency to two episodes per week.

Explanation: On February 8, 2024, it was announced that the 'Decoder' podcast would expand its publishing schedule to two episodes per week.

Return to Game

The Verge's web television series, 'On The Verge,' adopted a format similar to what type of show?

Answer: A late-night talk show

Explanation: The Verge's web television series, 'On The Verge,' was structured as a technology news entertainment program, adopting a format akin to a late-night talk show.

Return to Game

Who was the editor-in-chief of 'Circuit Breaker' as of 2017?

Answer: Jake Kastrenakes

Explanation: As of 2017, Jake Kastrenakes served as the editor-in-chief of 'Circuit Breaker,' The Verge's gadget blog.

Return to Game

Which of the following was a notable video content collaboration produced by The Verge?

Answer: A live streaming collaboration with Twitter for Consumer Electronics Show programs.

Explanation: A notable video content collaboration by The Verge was a live streaming partnership with Twitter for its Consumer Electronics Show programs in December 2016.

Return to Game

The 2018 PC Build Guide Controversy

The controversial PC build video published by The Verge in September 2018 was titled 'How to Build a Custom PC for Editing, Gaming or Coding.'

Answer: False

Explanation: The controversial YouTube video published by The Verge in September 2018 was titled 'How we Built a $2000 Custom Gaming PC,' although an accompanying article shared a similar but different title.

Return to Game

The primary criticism of The Verge's PC build video was its recommendation of outdated hardware components.

Answer: False

Explanation: The primary criticism of The Verge's PC build video was the numerous errors in the assembly process demonstrated by the host, such as applying an unnecessary amount of thermal paste, rather than the recommendation of outdated hardware.

Return to Game

Vox Media's lawyers initially succeeded in having critical YouTube videos about The Verge's PC build guide removed via DMCA notices.

Answer: True

Explanation: In February 2019, Vox Media's lawyers filed DMCA takedown notices against critical YouTube videos, leading YouTube to initially remove two videos and apply copyright strikes to the channels.

Return to Game

Timothy B. Lee of Ars Technica argued that the DMCA takedowns for the PC build video controversy were likely justified under copyright law.

Answer: False

Explanation: Timothy B. Lee of Ars Technica argued that the DMCA takedowns were an example of the Streisand effect and that critical videos generally fall under copyright's fair use doctrine, implying they were not justified.

Return to Game

Stefan Etienne admitted he was an experienced PC builder before filming The Verge's controversial PC build video.

Answer: False

Explanation: Stefan Etienne later admitted he was not an experienced PC builder at the time of filming the controversial video, having only built four computers, with this being his first on camera.

Return to Game

What was the title of the YouTube video that became the subject of the controversial PC build guide in September 2018?

Answer: How we Built a $2000 Custom Gaming PC

Explanation: The YouTube video that sparked the controversy in September 2018 was titled 'How we Built a $2000 Custom Gaming PC'.

Return to Game

What was cited as a notable example of an error in The Verge's controversial PC build video?

Answer: Applying an unnecessary amount of thermal paste onto the processor.

Explanation: A prominent error highlighted in The Verge's controversial PC build video was the application of an excessive amount of thermal paste onto the processor, a common mistake for novice builders.

Return to Game

What action did Vox Media's lawyers initially take in response to critical YouTube videos about The Verge's PC build guide?

Answer: They filed DMCA takedown notices alleging copyright infringement.

Explanation: In response to critical YouTube videos concerning The Verge's PC build guide, Vox Media's lawyers initially issued DMCA takedown notices, citing copyright infringement.

Return to Game

How did Timothy B. Lee of Ars Technica describe the PC build guide controversy, particularly regarding the DMCA takedowns?

Answer: An example of the Streisand effect, with critical videos likely falling under fair use.

Explanation: Timothy B. Lee of Ars Technica characterized the PC build guide controversy, especially the DMCA takedowns, as an instance of the Streisand effect, suggesting that the critical videos likely constituted fair use under copyright law.

Return to Game

What did Stefan Etienne reveal about his experience building PCs at the time of The Verge's controversial video?

Answer: He had only built four computers, and The Verge's build was his first on camera.

Explanation: Stefan Etienne disclosed that at the time of filming the controversial PC build video, he had only constructed four computers, and this particular build was his inaugural on-camera experience.

Return to Game