Popular Posts

Popular Posts shows the articles readers are engaging with. It is a navigation aid, not a verdict on editorial importance.

Rolling periods

Since version 1.1, “Most read” covers the last 7 days or the last 30 days, counted back from now in the site’s time zone, instead of the current calendar week or month. The list is therefore never empty on a Monday or on the first of the month. Views are kept per day for over a year, and each article’s lifetime total is kept.

Two settings decide which articles may appear:

• Include older articles: whether an older article that suddenly gains readers may appear in the list.
• Maximum article age: optionally, a limit in days.

Only published articles are ranked. On a new or quiet site where nothing has been ranked yet, the widget is hidden instead of showing an empty heading.

Set reader expectations

Label the module clearly so readers understand what is being shown. Decide whether it appears site-wide or only in selected contexts. Keep it visually distinct from an editor-curated list and from sponsored placements.

Watch for unsuitable results

Breaking, distressing or outdated stories can receive attention for reasons that make them inappropriate to amplify. Review the output periodically and create an agreed process for removing or suppressing a result when needed. Consider how corrections, paywall behaviour and article expiration affect the reader’s path.

Use the signal carefully

Patterns in popular reading can suggest useful follow-up coverage or explainers. Discuss them with reporting context and local knowledge. Do not let a short-term spike replace editorial judgement about what a daily newspaper should cover.