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I think every field has its own subset of language that makes most sense to them. I am sure a lot of words that make perfect unambiguous sense to tech people, would confuse non-tech people who would say "why don't you simply say it like..."

The term "vertical" seems to be common amongst executives. I first came across the term when my father asked about the verticals of companies I was applying to. It appears to mean "line of business" or "field of work" or "subset of market". For example a company catering to textile industries, banks, pharmaceuticals, would have these "verticals".

So "content verticals" immediately made sense to me as "subsets of the content they produce".

PS: "we're deepening our reach into multiple markets by adding new content verticals." makes perfect sense because executives really do see the move as moving into multiple markets (or market segments) as each new magazine caters to a different class of people



A vertical in MBA-speak is a specialised niche market which typically has plenty of competition.

It's eccentric to consider - say - food journalism as a vertical, because it really isn't.

But then "We're closing some of our online magazines" wouldn't sound nearly as decisive and strategic-y.


In publishing, it is absolutely common to say that a particular magazine serves a vertical.


I don't think you can usually draw any conclusions regarding either 'niche status' or 'presence/lack of competition' from the word vertical.


One day you'll realise that just because your Dad told you, it doesn't make it any less gibberish.

In all seriousness though, just because your Dad told you, it doesn't make it any less gibberish.




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