ZDNET (October 2020present)

ZDNET
Type	website
Status	Generally unreliable
Deprecated	no
Blacklisted	no
Recency	2024
Domain zdnet.com
	In source code; External links in articles; Spamcheck tool
RfC
Link	Rfc
Date	2024

This page is a test version of a potential new layout for the Perennial sources project. It is a demo and not part of the live listings. See Talk.

This source in a nutshell: ZDNET is considered

generally unreliable. See § Summary.

ZDNET is a source that has been repeatedly discussed at the Reliable sources noticeboard. This page collects and links information about previous discussions and current consensus, and summarizes it here for convenience.

Summary

ZDNet was acquired by digital marketing company Red Ventures in October 2020. There is consensus that ZDNet, along with other online properties of Red Ventures, is generally unreliable. Editors express concern that Red Ventures, as a matter of policy, uses AI-authored content on its properties in a non-transparent and unreliable manner. ZDNET was purchased by Ziff Davis in August 2024, which may mean that the reasons for considering it unreliable may no longer apply.

Excerpt

ZDNET is a business technology news website owned and operated by Ziff Davis, which originally founded the brand on April 1, 1991, as its general interest technology portal. It eventually evolved into an enterprise IT-focused online publication. After being under the ownership of CNET Networks (2000–2008), CBS Corporation/ViacomCBS (2008–2020), and Red Ventures (2020–2024), ZDNET was reacquired by Ziff Davis in August 2024. CNET was included in the acquisition as well.

Discussions

Links

RSN

WP:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 401#Is ZDNet still reliable?

WP:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 424#Something strange is going on with ZDNet

WP:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 453#CNET and ZDNET are now under Ziff Davis ownership. Should they get a new chance or continue be considered too unreliable?

Recency

2024

Rfcs

2024 Rfc

Notes

References

Original table row for comparison

(remove this when this source page is ready to go live)

Perennial sources
Source	Status (legend)	Discussions			Use
Source	Status (legend)	List	Last	Summary	Use
ZDNET (October 2020 – present)		2024	2024	ZDNet was acquired by digital marketing company Red Ventures in October 2020. There is consensus that ZDNet, along with other online properties of Red Ventures, is generally unreliable. Editors express concern that Red Ventures, as a matter of policy, uses AI-authored content on its properties in a non-transparent and unreliable manner. ZDNET was purchased by Ziff Davis in August 2024, which may mean that the reasons for considering it unreliable may no longer apply.	1