Not the Bee launched in 2020 as a sister property to The Babylon Bee, positioning itself as a clearinghouse for real news stories that resemble satire. Co-founders Seth Dillon, Kyle Mann, and Joel Berry created the site after recurring audience feedback about real headlines that felt indistinguishable from the Bee’s parody pieces. The site blends curated articles with community commentary, emphasizing cultural and political oddities.

Launch Strategy and Audience Targeting (2020)

The team introduced the platform with a subscription bundle that paired access to both Bee properties, enabling shared login credentials and a combined member forum. Early content highlighted trending social media moments, viral policy debates, and church-related news that would not fit the satire format. Editors posted daily email recaps to convert casual readers into paying subscribers.

Community Features and Monetization (2021-2022)

Developers added user posting tools, a comment-ranking system, and a mobile app beta to encourage ongoing engagement. The premium tier integrated live video chats with Bee staff, early podcast access, and merchandise discounts. Advertising inventory focused on podcast sponsorships and native placements within curated article feeds.

Political Media Positioning (2022-Present)

Not the Bee’s editorial strategy emphasizes monitoring social media for stories involving public policy, campus debates, and technology company decisions. Staff writers provide short opinion notes on each item, while weekly podcasts debrief trending controversies. The brand promotes the site as a real-world counterpart to the satire publication, frequently referencing content moderation disputes affecting allied creators and highlighting platform policy changes that influence online speech.