AI-powered efficiency: how SORTD GenAI transformed Hyderabad Mail’s newsroom

Hyderabad Mail wanted to publish high-quality hyperlocal reporting at pace. Tight deadlines, manual SEO work, and repetitive metadata tasks were slowing editors. SORTD GenAI slotted into the newsroom workflow to automate summaries, SEO, and visual selection—so journalists could ship faster without losing editorial quality.  

The Challenge

Like many digital publishers, Hyderabad Mail was caught in a balancing act. On one side, deadlines demanded that stories go live quickly to stay relevant in a fast-moving news cycle. On the other, the editorial team needed to ensure that each article was accurate, engaging, and well-presented. This tension created pressure points at several stages of the workflow.

One of the biggest hurdles was SEO optimization. Every story required carefully crafted meta titles, descriptions, and tags so it could surface well in search engines. Doing this manually took time, and errors or inconsistencies could hurt discoverability. Similarly, writing concise, context-aware summaries for stories was a daily grind. These summaries are crucial for both reader engagement and syndication, but producing them quickly without losing nuance was a challenge.

Even simple but essential steps like image selection slowed the newsroom down. Editors had to sift through visuals to find the ones that matched the story, a process that could take longer than writing the story itself. Each of these tasks added friction, making it harder to meet publishing deadlines without stretching the team thin.

The solution: SORTD GenAI in the newsroom

Hyderabad Mail adopted SORTD GenAI not as a side tool, but as a natural extension of their editorial system. The integration was seamless—the AI was available right where editors were working, so they didn’t need to juggle between platforms.

One of the first visible benefits was the automatic generation of summaries. Instead of rewriting the same points in multiple formats, editors could instantly get context-true summaries in just a few seconds. This freed up time to focus on refining angles and ensuring the narrative carried weight.

The platform also transformed SEO optimization. GenAI suggested keyword-rich meta titles, descriptions, and tags that aligned with the tone of the story. Importantly, the AI didn’t churn out generic lines. It adapted to the story’s context and the newsroom’s style, giving the team confidence that the output would meet their standards while improving visibility.

Another feature that made a difference was smart image recommendations. For every story, the AI suggested visuals that were contextually relevant. This meant editors didn’t have to spend precious minutes searching through image banks, cutting down on friction at the final packaging stage.

Finally, what stood out was the AI’s contextual understanding. The suggestions weren’t random or mechanical. They aligned closely with the story’s intent and the newsroom’s editorial voice. That made it feel less like a machine spitting out options and more like a helpful assistant guiding the process.

“By integrating Sortd Gen AI into our workflow, we have saved valuable time and effort. The AI understands context remarkably well, ensuring that suggested elements are not only keyword-optimized but also engaging and aligned with the article’s essence. For any digital newsroom or journalist looking to enhance productivity without compromising on quality, we highly recommend Sortd Gen AI. It’s an invaluable assistant that simplifies content creation while maintaining editorial excellence.”

– Editor, Hyderabad Mail

The Results

The impact was measurable. Hyderabad Mail reported a 50 percent reduction in the time spent on SEO tasks. What previously required long minutes of manual keyword research and metadata writing now happened almost instantly.

This efficiency directly translated into output. The newsroom was able to publish 25 percent more stories per day. That’s not just a productivity boost—it meant better coverage of hyperlocal issues, faster responses to breaking news, and a richer experience for readers.

Beyond numbers, the workflow felt smoother. Editors no longer felt bogged down by repetitive tasks. They could focus on storytelling, confident that the AI would handle the packaging details consistently and accurately. The result was a faster, more reliable publishing cycle.

Why it works?

What made this transformation effective wasn’t just the AI’s capabilities, but how it was embedded into the workflow. Editors didn’t need to learn new systems or switch screens. The AI sat right where they worked, making its use natural and intuitive.

Another reason was the clear division of labor between humans and AI. The machine took care of repetitive, mechanical tasks, leaving journalists free to do what only they can: craft compelling stories, interpret events, and bring human perspective to the news. This division ensured quality never took a backseat.

Finally, the gains compounded over time. Faster packaging meant quicker publishing. Better SEO meant stronger visibility and reach. Together, these created a cycle where efficiency and engagement reinforced each other.

About Hyderabad Mail

Hyderabad Mail is a digital newsroom with a strong reputation for hyperlocal journalism. Their reporting focuses on surfacing community issues, holding institutions accountable, and connecting citizens with government authorities to solve local problems. By combining civic reporting with technology-driven distribution, the outlet plays a vital role in bridging the gap between people and policymakers.

The adoption of SORTD GenAI has amplified this mission—enabling the team to tell more stories, reach more readers, and stay true to their editorial values while navigating the pressures of digital publishing.