Thousands of FiveThirtyEight Articles Seemingly Vanish From the Internet
The influential polling analysis site FiveThirtyEight was shut down last year. An earlier archived version of the site, located at fivethirtyeight.com, had continued to exist online. That version is no longer accessible. Visitors are now automatically redirected to ABC News.
The redirection removes thousands of articles, data visualizations, and historical analyses from public view. FiveThirtyEight was known for its statistical approach to politics, sports, and culture. The site gained a large following for its election forecasting models.
ABC News, which owned FiveThirtyEight, made the decision to redirect the domain. The move effectively erases the site’s independent digital archive. Journalists and data enthusiasts previously relied on the archive for reference and research.
The change appears to have occurred without prior public notice. Users attempting to access specific articles now encounter the ABC News homepage. Many links shared on social media and in academic papers are now broken.
The loss of access to FiveThirtyEight’s archive raises concerns about digital preservation. The site contained years of original reporting, analysis, and interactive features. Such resources are often considered valuable for historical and educational purposes.
ABC News has not publicly explained the reasons for the redirect. Some speculate it may simplify branding or reduce maintenance costs. Others view it as a further step in consolidating the ABC News digital presence.
For now, the only way to view FiveThirtyEight content is through third-party archives like the Wayback Machine. These copies are not always complete or easily searchable. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in preserving digital journalism after media outlets shut down or restructure.
