GVA.be: On platform debates creating reader habits

GVA.be a hyperlocal news brand in Antwerp are giving their community a voice and a safe space to debate. GVA debate call-outs see higher quality interactions, and returns than comments or social media. 

Topline results:

Gazet Van Antwerpen

• 3 to 5 debate call-outs a week on news topics and current affairs

• 3-10 X more time spent on page that other articles

• Thousands of likes and interactions to individual responses

• Higher quality content and debate than social media comments

• Tens of thousands of page views from individual call-outs (e.g., Northern Lights photo gallery)

• Thousands of reader tips captured through the integrated news hotline

About Gazet Van Antwerpen

Gazet van Antwerpen (GVA) is one of Belgium’s best-known regional news brands, serving readers in and around Antwerp. Originally positioned as a national newspaper, it has evolved into a hyperlocal brand with global reach, keeping a strong focus on Antwerp’s place in world events.

Like many publishers, GVA faced a challenge: how to engage readers on its own platforms rather than ceding conversations to social media. Previous formats for reader input were clunky (e.g., via email), which made contributions hard to manage and often left valuable stories unseen. This lack of structured engagement limited the newsroom’s ability to build strong reader habits, uncover local stories, and create new formats that worked well both online and in print.

How Contribly addressed the challenge

Contribly provided a simple, flexible platform that allowed GVA to integrate reader contributions directly into their digital and print workflows.

• Discussions of the Day
  GVA now runs 3–5 reader debates each week on current affairs, using Contribly’s text widget to collect and display responses below articles. This transformed what was once an email-based process into a seamless, interactive format that kept readers engaged. It also helps build reader habits, discussions only stay open for a limited time, resulting in readers coming back to see if they have been published and what the debate of the day is.

• “We increased the value of our articles fivefold because readers wanted to see if their answer was approved — and what others were saying.” — Dominick, Online News Manager, GVA
  
  

• Photo Call-Outs
  For major events such as the Northern Lights over Belgium or a supermoon, GVA easily launches call-outs for reader images. These galleries not only drive high engagement but also provide unique, hyperlocal content that strengthens loyalty.

• One call-out generated 60,000+ page views, with readers eager to see their contributions published alongside others.
  
  

• News Hotline
  GVA integrated Contribly into its app and homepage as a “news tips” hotline. This replaced the chaos of a shared newsroom email inbox with a streamlined system that allowed journalists to easily find and act on local stories.

• “Before, I’m pretty sure we’ve lost hundreds, maybe thousands, of good tips. With Contribly, they’re captured in one place and much easier to use.
  Every time I look in the Contribly news hotline, I find five interesting things to write about. Often they’re hyperlocal stories that are golden for online news.” — Dominick, Online News Manager, GVA
  
  

• Efficient Workflow
  Contribly’s moderation hub allowed the newsroom to approve reader contributions in minutes. Editors could also refresh engagement by updating headlines with reader quotes, doubling article reach with minimal effort.
  
  

“It’s very easy. Sometimes we just change the title with a reader quote and the article’s attention doubles.” — Dominick

“Before, I’m pretty sure we’ve lost hundreds, maybe thousands, of good tips. With Contribly, they’re captured in one place and much easier to use.

Every time I look in the Contribly news hotline, I find five interesting things to write about. Often they’re hyperlocal stories that are golden for online news.”

— Dominick, Online News Manager, GVA

The results

• Higher Engagement: Discussion call-outs generated 3–10× more time spent on page compared to standard articles.
  

• Repeat Habits: By publishing regular debates, GVA encouraged readers to return daily to share opinions and check responses.
  

• New Content Streams: Reader-submitted photos and tips became a steady source of high-quality, hyperlocal content.
  

• Operational Efficiency: Moderation and publishing, once chaotic via email, became streamlined and actionable.

• Revenue & Reach: Some call-outs drew tens of thousands of page views and attention time equivalent to full-length news stories — at a fraction of the effort.

By embedding Contribly into its editorial workflow, GVA successfully transformed passive readers into active contributors. Whether through debates, photo call-outs, or news tips, the brand built stronger audience habits, surfaced unique stories, and improved time-on-site.

👉 Want to see how Contribly can help your newsroom achieve the same? Get in touch with us here.