generalinterest

General-interest refers to content designed to appeal to a broad cross-section of the population, covering news, culture, lifestyle, science, and practical information. It is not specialized to a particular profession, hobby, or field.

In newspapers, magazines, radio, and television, general-interest programming aims to inform, entertain, and educate a wide audience. Such outlets typically balance current events with feature essays, trends, profiles, and how-to information, striving for accessibility and relevance across diverse groups.

In libraries and publishing, general-interest works are shelved or marketed for readers without specialized expertise. General-interest books and magazines tend to use clear language and broad topics, contrasting with trade or scholarly titles that assume prior knowledge.

Historically, general-interest media expanded with mass literacy and advertising in the 19th and 20th centuries, seeking large audiences rather than niche markets. This shift fostered standardized formats, wide distribution, and cross-disciplinary discussions, though it sometimes led to homogenization.

Critics note that the broad focus can dilute depth or overlook minority perspectives, while proponents argue that general-interest content supports civic literacy and cultural cohesion by making information accessible.

See also general audience, popular science, mainstream media, mass media.