Information Markets

Chapter 6 extends market theory to markets of information and content. Although information exchanges are not monetary, the motivations of providers and seekers are important for information intermediaries in designing better platforms. Just as with previous markets there is the similar challenge of determining the quality of information or content. This chapter shows that information consumption models can be divided into three categories: searching, farming, and feeding. Some are more efficient and some are more diversifying, and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Many signs show that the farming model is beginning to challenge the dominant searching model, but the concepts behind farming can also help searching.