This Is How Your Bleacher Report Sausage Gets Made

On Wednesday, we pointed you in the direction of the SF Weekly's long, excellent story about the rise of Bleacher Report. That piece discussed at length the process whereby Bleacher Report reverse-engineers its content based on data collected by an "analytics team." In short, the analysts divine the stories that will generate the most traffic; those findings are used by Bleacher Report's editors to write headlines; those headlines are then sent to the many hamsters on the site's many hamster wheels, who then produce content to fit the headline. This is both effective and utterly soulless.

A tipster forwarded us an email that sheds a little more light on how this process works. The email was sent in February 2011 to Bleacher Report writers in advance of a Strikeforce fight between Anderson Antonio Silva and Fedor Emelianenko.

Hey guys & girls,

If you are interested in being a part of the event coverage team this weekend...well then there is plenty of headlines to choose from - created by yours truly. Those that outperform will be compensated as a paid contributor for the event. I don't have a set amount yet but I will make sure those that go above and beyond get taken care of one way or another.

Assignments will be chosen on a first come first serve basis so if you here back from me that some of the assignments you chose, were already taken, we will have to reformulate your list. You will see that some articles have already been scooped up by guys who were on gmail chat as I was creating the master list - thanks guys. I know it is last hour, but we want to try and get as many assigned out as we can by tomorrow AM, so the leftovers can be sent over to back up writers.

Make sure to tag your article with Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva and it will show up under the Event tag. This will ensure that it shows up on our newly created HUB page (to increase traffic via Search Engines). Also, make sure to link your article back to the HUB Page. If you have any questions on how to do this Nick Caron can walk you through it.

And if you can think of any great article ideas we have done in the past that were not included, pitch them to me. When your article is posted, either drop it in the MMA email chain or email it directly to Robert & myself. If your title does not fit, shorten it the best you can by keeping as many key good words as possible. This event will set the tone for future paid opportunities with event coverage, and possibly contract positions so take that for what its worth. Thanks again for helping me kick ass!

Strikeforce Live Event Coverage Plan (Deadzone & during/post fight)

Article Headline

Dead Zone Coverage Fedor Emelianenko vs. Top 5 UFC Heavyweights: How does he stack up? Alistair Overeem vs. Top 5 UFC Heavyweights: How does he stack up? Fabricio Werdum vs. Top 5 UFC Heavyweights: How does he stack up? Josh Barnett vs. Top 5 UFC Heavyweights: How does he stack up? Antonio Silva vs. Top 5 UFC Heavyweights: How does he stack up? Brett Rogers vs. Top 5 UFC Heavyweights: How does he stack up? Andrei Arlovski vs. Top 5 UFC Heavyweights: How does he stack up? Sergei Kharitonov vs. Top 5 UFC Heavyweights: How does he stack up?

Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: How many more fights does Fedor have left? Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Will Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar ever happen? Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: Will Fedor Emelianenko vs. Randy Couture ever happen? Strikeforce HW Grand Prix: Biggest Strength & Weakness from all 8 Strikeforce HW Grand Prix: Fighters who should have been in tournament Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: Top 10 photos of Fedor on the Internet Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: Top 10 non fight related YouTube videos of Fedor Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: Top 10 photos leading up to the event Andrei Arlovski and the top 10 most questioned chins in MMA history Alisair Overeem and 7 Strikeforce Fighters Dana White would Sign Fedor, Carwin and 10 fighters who would make great training partners 10 Reaons why the HW Grand Prix will help Strikeforce make up ground on the UFC Strikeforce vs. UFC: Battle of the Ring Girls, who is sexier pound for sexy pound Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: 25 Sexy Photos of the Strikeforce Rings Girls Fedor Emelianenko and 10 potential entrace songs that would be crowd pleasers 5 Reasons Why Fedor, Overeem will be No. 1 HW in MMA with Tourament Win Fedor vs. Overeem-Werdum Winner and the 10 best HW fights of all time

Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Fight Card: What Antonio Silva Must Do To Beat Fedor Emilianenko Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Fight Card: What Fedor Emilianenko Must Do To Beat Antonio Silva Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Fight Card: What Sergei Kharitonov Must Do To Beat Andrei Arlovski Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Fight Card: What Andrei Arlovski Must Do To Beat Sergei Kharitonov Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: 10 Things to Watch in the Fedor Emilianenko-Antonio Silva Match Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: 10 Things to Watch in the Andrei Arlovski-Sergei Kharitonov Match

Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Fight Card: (for Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva) Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Fight Card: (for Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov) Strikeforce Fight Card Preview: Power Ranking all 8 chins in the HW Tournament Strikeforce Preview: Power Ranking all 8 stand up fighters in the HW Tournament Strikeforce Preview: Power Ranking all 8 ground games in the HW Tournament Strikeforce Fight Card Preview: Power Ranking all 8 kickers in the HW tournament Strikeforce Preview: Power Ranking all 8 submission games in the HW Tournamenet Strikeforce Preview Power Ranking the stamina of all 8 fighters in the HW Tournament Strikeforce Preview Power Ranking the strength of all 8 fighters in the HW Tournament

10 Burning Questions facing the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament

Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: 5 reasons why Sergei Kharitonov will win opening round Strikeforce Fedor vs Silva: 5 reasons why Andrei Alrovski will win opening round Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva: 5 reasons why Fedor will win opening round fight Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament: 5 Reasons Fedor Emelianenko will win it all Strikeforce Heavyweight Preview: 5 Reasons Alistair Overeem will win it all Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament: 5 Reasons Fabricio Werdum will win it all Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament: 5 Reasons Josh Barnett will win it all Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament: Filling out a Light Heavyweight Bracket Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament: Filling out a Middleweight Tournament Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament: Filling out a Welterweight Tournament Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament: Filling out a Lightweight Tournament Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament: Betting Odds & Predictions Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament: Reseeding for Better Balance

Strikeforce Tournament Preview: Putting Odds on who most likely gets knocked out Strikeforce Tournament Preview: Putting Odds on who is most likely to get submitted Strikeforce Tournament Preview: Putting Odds on who is most like to get hurt/pull out Strikeforce Preview: If Fedor wins tournament where does he rank amongst UFC HW's Strikeforce Preview: If Overeem wins tourney where does he rank amongst UFC HW's Strikeforce Preview: If Werdum wins tourney where does he rank amongst UFC HW's Strikeforce Preview: If Barnett wins tourney where does he rank amongst UFC HW's Strikeforce Preview: If kharitonov wins tourney where does he rank amongst UFC HW's Strikeforce Preview: If Silva wins tourney where does he rank amongst UFC HW's Strikeforce Preview: If Rogers wins tourney where does he rank amongst UFC HW's Strikeforce Preview: If Arlovski wins tourney where does he rank amongst UFC HW's

Strikeforce Preview: Power Ranking the worst stylistic matchups For Fedor Strikeforce Preview: Power Ranking the worst stylistic matchups For Alistair Overeem Strikeforce Preview: Power Ranking the worst stylistic matchups For Wabricio Werdum Strikeforce Preview: Power Ranking the worst stylistic matchups For Josh Barnett Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Fight Card: Weigh In Results and Reaction Quick hit previews Fedor vs. Silva Strikeforce QH (Friday day) Fedor vs. Silva Strikeforce QH (Friday night) Fedor vs. Silva Strikeforce QH (Saturday day)

During Event/Post-Fight/Sunday coverage QH article starting Friday Morning leading up to Fight Card Cageside Blog QH Blog with Analsyis QH Blog Nuts&Bolts Slideshow Blog

Strikeforce Fight Card Results: (for Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva) Strikeforce Fight Card Results: (for Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov) Strikeforce Fight Card Results: (for Shane Del Rosario vs. Lavar Johnson) Strikeforce Fight Card Results: (for Valentijn Overeem vs. Ray Sefo) Strikeforce Fight Card Results: (Strikeforce: Chad Griggs vs. Gian Villante)

Top 10 Moments from opening round of Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament Strikeforce Fight Card Results: What Happens Next For The Winners & Losers Strikeforce Fight Card Results: Keys to Victory for Each Winner on Saturday Night "10 burning Questions Heading into Next Round of Strikeforce Tournament " Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Results & Reaction: Fedor Emilianenko vs. Antonio Silva Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Results & Reaction: Andrei Arlovski vs. Sergei Kharitonov Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Results: [Winning Fighter] Wins, What Does it Mean for [Losing Fighter] (Fedor-Silva) Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Results: [Winning Fighter] Wins, What Does it Mean for [Losing Fighter] (Arlovski-Kharitonov) Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Results: Winners and Losers From Saturday's Fights Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Results: 10 Questions Heading Into UFC 125 Strikeforce Fedor vs. Silva Results: 10 Best Moments From The IZOD Center

(If Fedor wins) Strikeforce Results: Fedor Emelianenko and the top 10 Heavyweights in MMA Strikeforce Results: Fedor Emelianenko and the Strikeforce P4P Rankings Strikeforce Fedor Emelianenko vs. Alistair Overeem: Early Head to Toe Breakdown Strikeforce Fedor Emelianenko vs. Wabrico Werdum: Early Head to Toe Breakdown Strikeforce Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett: Early Head to Toe Breakdown Fedor Emelianenko next fight: Alistair Oveerem vs. Fabricio Werdum Winner Strikeforce Fight Card Results: 5 Reaons why Fedor Emelianenko is the Tourament Favorite Strikeforce Results: 5 Reasons why Fedor Emelianenko will lose in the next round

(If Fedor Loses) Strikeforce Results: Antonio Silva and the top 10 Heavyweights in MMA Strikeforce Results: Fedor Emelianenko and the biggest upsets in MMA history Strikeforce Fight Card Results: 5 Reasons Fedor Emelianenko needs to retire Strikeforce Fight Card Results: 5 Reasons Fedor Emelianenko should keep fighting Strikeforce Results: What does the loss mean Fedor Emelianenko's legacy? Strikeforce Results: Fedor Emelianenko and five fights fans still want to see Fedor Emelianenkdo next fight: 5 fights that Strikeforce could consider

(If Arlovski loses) Strikeforce Fight Card Results: 5 Reasons Andrei Arlovski should retire Strikeforce Fight Card Results: 5 Reasons Andrei Arlovksi should keep fighting Strikeforce Fight Card Results: 5 opponents wed like to see beat Arlovski next

(If Arlovski Wins) Strikeforce Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers: Early Head to Toe Breakdown Strikeforce Andrei Arlovski vs. Josh Barnett: Early Head to Toe Breakdown Strikeforce Fight Card Results: 5 Reasons The Pitull Could win the Tournament Strikeforce Andrei Arlovski next fight: Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers winner

(If Antonio Silva wins) Antonio Silva, Sokoudjou and the biggest giant slayers in MMA History Strikeforce Anontio Silva next fight: Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers winner Strikeforce Antonio Silva vs. Alistair Overeem: Early Head to Toe Breakdown Strikeforce Antonio Silva vs. Wabrico Werdum: Early Head to Toe Breakdown

(Is Sergei Kharitonov wins) Strikeforce Sergei Kharitonov next fight: Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers winner Strikeforce Sergei Kharitonov vs. Josh Barnett Earley Head to Tow Breakdown Strikeforce Sergei Kharitonov vs. Brett Rogers Earley Head to Tow Breakdown Strikeforce preview: Is the Russian Sergei Kharitonov the dark horse to win tournament?

For the record, " Strikeforce vs. UFC: Battle of the Ring Girls, who is sexier pound for sexy pound" did wind up on the site.