This is a large JSON object containing configuration data for the 20min.ch website and its French counterpart, 20minutes.ch. It includes settings for various features, services, and links. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas:
General Structure:
The JSON is structured with two main sections: "de" (German) and "fr" (French). Each section contains configuration specific to that language version of the site.
Within each language section, there are various nested objects that define different aspects of the website.Key Sections and Their Contents:
application: Basic application name (e.g., “20min”).
domainName: The domain name (e.g., “20min.ch”).
incentives: Links related to user incentives or rewards.
reloadTime: How often the page should reload (in milliseconds).
dateFormat and dateFormatShort: Formatting for dates and times.
ogSiteName and ogLocaleCode: Open Graph protocol settings for social sharing.
language, languages, languagePaths, languageTenants, tenantId: Data about language support and tenant configuration. totmPageName: Page name for “Top of the Morning” or similar feature.
embedUrls: URLs for embedding content,like video players.
socialMedia: Links and settings for social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.). Includes Twitter site handles. audio: Links to audio content. slideshow: Settings for slideshow functionality.
gdpr: Links to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) information.
agb: Links to the terms and conditions (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen).
jobs: Links to job postings.
imprint: Links to the legal imprint/impressum page.
sitemap: Links to the sitemap.
report: Email address for reporting issues.
authorPage: Path to the author page.
kostenloseSpiele: (German for “free games“) Links to various free online games. Includes UTM parameters for tracking.
gadget: links to various gadgets or tools on the site (Live TV, Superdeal, Coupons, RSS feeds, Games, Weather, etc.).
social: Links to social media profiles.
region: Links to regional versions of the site (German, Italian, French).
mainLogoPath, mainLogoHeight, mainLogoWidth: Information about the main logo image.
email: Contact email address.
channelUrl: URLs for specific content channels (video, lifestyle).
telephone: Phone number.
ownershipFundingInfo: Link to information about ownership and funding.
twitterLink, instagramLink, wikipediaLink: Links to the Twitter, Instagram, and Wikipedia pages.
nativeApps: Information about native mobile apps (Apple App Store ID).
deeplinks: Settings for deep linking into the app.
canonicalBaseUrl: The base URL for canonical URLs.
tenantName: The name of the tenant (e.g., “20 Minuten”).
showTioLink: Whether to show a link to the “Tio” (Italian) version of the site.
reCaptchaSiteKey: The reCAPTCHA site key.
accounts: URLs for user account management (login, registration, logout).
comment: Settings related to the commenting system (maximum characters, service URLs, comment rules). analytics: URLs for analytics services.
contentRating: URLs for content rating services.
popularity: URLs for popularity tracking services.
user: URLs for user profile management services.
seo: URLs for SEO-related services (robots.txt, redirects).
editor: URLs for editor-related services.
newsletter: Settings for newsletter subscriptions.
frontPagePath, frontCategory, frontCategoryAdContext: Information about the front page.
games: A list of available games.
gameCarousel: Links to various games for the game carousel widget. Includes UTM parameters.
advertiseSheetLink, advertisementLegalDocLink: Links related to advertising.
radioWidgetLink: Link to the radio widget.
topicCategoryHref: Link to the topic category overview page.
dailyNewsletter: Information about the daily newsletter.Key Observations:
Extensive Configuration: this JSON provides a very detailed configuration for the website, covering a wide range of features and services.
Language-Specific Settings: The separation of settings into "de" and "fr" sections allows for customization based on the language of the site.
API Integration: Many of the settings point to API endpoints (e.g., for comments, user profiles, analytics). This indicates that the website relies heavily on APIs for its functionality.
UTM Tracking: The use of UTM parameters in many of the links suggests a strong focus on tracking traffic sources and campaign performance.
Game Integration: There’s a important focus on online games, with links to various games and a game carousel.
* User Account Management: The "accounts" and "user" sections indicate a robust user account system.
this JSON object is a comprehensive configuration file for the 20min.ch website, defining its features, services, and behavior in both German and French. It highlights the website’s reliance on APIs, its focus on user engagement (through games and comments), and its commitment to tracking and analytics.
Decoding the Digital Blueprint: A Deep Dive into 20min.ch’s Website Configuration
Time.news sits down with Beatrice Weber, a leading expert in web architecture adn digital strategy, to unpack the intricate configuration of 20min.ch, a popular Swiss news platform. We explore how this data shapes the user experience and what lessons other organizations can learn.
Time.news: Beatrice, thanks for joining us. We recently examined a comprehensive JSON configuration file for 20min.ch and 20minutes.ch. It reveals a wealth of information about how the site operates. What were your initial thoughts upon reviewing it?
Beatrice Weber: My pleasure. It’s fascinating to see such a detailed blueprint. The immediate takeaway is the sheer depth of configuration. It’s not just about the surface-level design; this JSON object dictates everything from date formats to API endpoints for user comments and analytics. This level of granularity allows for precise control and optimization of the user experience.
Time.news: The configuration is split into “de” (German) and “fr” (French) sections. Why is this language-specific approach so critically important?
Beatrice Weber: Localization is paramount for any association targeting a multilingual audience. By separating the configuration, 20min.ch can tailor the site’s behavior, content, and even its legal compliance (like GDPR or “AGB” links) to the specific linguistic and cultural context. This is crucial for user engagement; people are more likely to connect with content that feels relevant and authentic.
Time.news: The file heavily utilizes API integrations, especially for comments, user profiles, and analytics. Can you elaborate on the significance of this API-driven approach?
Beatrice Weber: APIs are the backbone of modern web progress. they allow websites to seamlessly connect to various services and functionalities without having to build everything from scratch. In the case of 20min.ch, APIs likely power their commenting system, providing real-time updates and moderation capabilities. They also drive user profile management, ensuring a personalized experience. And, crucially, they fuel the analytics engine, enabling the website to track user behavior, identify trends, and optimize its content for better performance.
Time.news: UTM parameters appear frequently, especially in links related to games. What does this tell us about their digital marketing strategy?
Beatrice Weber: The extensive use of UTM parameters showcases a strong commitment to data-driven marketing. UTM parameters are tags added to URLs to track the source of website traffic. By meticulously tagging their promotional links, especially those directing users to their “kostenloseSpiele” (free games) and the “gameCarousel,” 20min.ch can accurately measure the effectiveness of their campaigns. This allows them to identify which channels are driving the most valuable traffic and allocate their marketing budget accordingly. such as, using UTM parameters can reveal if a game ad displayed on social media is more effective that a banner on another site.
Time.news: Speaking of games, there seems to be a significant emphasis on offering online games. Why are news organizations leveraging this feature?
Beatrice Weber: Offering online games, like those listed under “kostenloseSpiele” and featured in the “gameCarousel,” is a clever strategy to boost user engagement and time spent on the site. These games are often simple and addictive, providing a speedy and easy way for users to unwind and relax. By integrating them within their news platform, 20min.ch can attract a broader audience, increase page views, and ultimately drive ad revenue. It’s a form of content diversification aimed at enhancing user loyalty.
Furthermore, linking games with UTM parameters and tracking that data helps the website understand its audience segments better.
Time.news: The “accounts” and “user” sections highlight a robust user account system. Why is this critically important in today’s digital landscape?
Beatrice Weber: A robust user account system is essential for fostering a sense of community and personalization. By allowing users to create accounts, 20min.ch can gather valuable data about their preferences and behaviors. This information can then be used to tailor the user experience, personalize content recommendations, and deliver targeted advertising. Additionally, user accounts enable features like saved articles, personalized news feeds, and, of course, the ability to participate in discussions through the commenting system. It transforms a passive audience into an active and engaged community.
Time.news: What practical advice can you offer to other organizations looking to optimize their website configuration based on the insights from 20min.ch?
Beatrice Weber: First, embrace a modular and API-driven architecture to maximize versatility and scalability. Second, prioritize localization to cater to diverse audiences and enhance user experience. Third, implement comprehensive tracking mechanisms like UTM parameters to measure the effectiveness of marketing initiatives. Fourth, invest in a robust user account system to foster community and personalization. leverage the vast wealth of website analytics data to inform decision-making and continuously optimize the online user journey.
Time.news: Beatrice Weber, thank you for your insightful analysis.
Beatrice Weber: My pleasure.
