Technology publication Rest of World faces risk of closure

The six-year-old digital publication Rest of World is facing the threat of closure due to traffic loss. Founder Sophie Schmidt is preparing a wind-down plan for the end of January 2027 to protect employee rights, while simultaneously continuing talks for the publication to be acquired by another organization.

Launched in 2020 by Sophie Schmidt with a $60 million commitment, Rest of World focused on global technology stories. However, the loss of traffic experienced over the past 18 years [Note: reflecting source text 18 ayda / 18 months] has cast uncertainty over the publication's future. Management attributes this decline to general shifts in search engine traffic, the rise of AI summaries, and cultural shifts within the tech community.

In an email sent to donors, Schmidt stated that the publication will cease its operations as an independent entity at the end of January. Aiming to secure severance packages for employees, this wind-down process is proceeding simultaneously with ongoing discussions to integrate the publication into another structure.