• paidContent.org, Thursday, July 23, 2009 9:55 PM

The Associated Press board yesterday approved an ambitious plan to tag and track every piece of text content for the organization and its members. The news registry will start by tracking AP content online and is expected to add AP member content in early 2010. AP will fund it through 2010; it's then expected to be self-sustaining.

One feature of the registry, which is being designed to work on payment models ranging from free to pay walls, is a "beacon" that will let the AP know how the content is being used. The registry will provide metrics on online content consumption, payment services and enforcement support. Eventually it will include photos and video, as well as text.

AP says the registry could support its previous idea of building search pages as "authoritative sources" by requiring Web links "to search optimized news pages that guide users to timely, authoritative coverage. AP continues to research that concept."

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