Ethiopian Media Websites Ranking: Zehabesha vs. Addis Standard, Borkena, Mereja, and The Reporter Ethiopia

The digital media landscape in Ethiopia has expanded rapidly over the past decade, with several platforms competing for readership, influence, and online visibility. Among these, Zehabesha.com has built a reputation for scholarly analysis and in-depth coverage, while other outlets like Addis Standard, Borkena, Mereja Forum, and The Reporter Ethiopia bring diverse perspectives to the public. A closer look at their rankings and digital performance highlights how these sites compare.

1. Zehabesha.com

• Traffic: 51.5k

• Backlinks: 5.73k

• Keywords Ranked: 9.43k

• Estimated Value: $9.43k

Zehabesha leads in overall web traffic among Ethiopian-focused news sites. Its strong monthly visitors (51.5k) indicate a consistent reader base, especially within the Ethiopian diaspora. However, its backlink profile (5.73k) is lower compared to competitors, suggesting room for growth in external references and partnerships.

2. Addis Standard

• Traffic: 4.61k

• Backlinks: 20.1k

• Keywords Ranked: 7.01k

• Estimated Value: $11.1k

Although Addis Standard trails in raw traffic, it enjoys a far stronger backlink profile. With over 20.1k backlinks, the site demonstrates credibility and wider referencing by external sources. This higher authority boosts its SEO strength, allowing it to rank competitively despite lower visitor counts.

3. Borkena

• Traffic: 3.33k

• Backlinks: 21.2k

• Keywords Ranked: 4.43k

• Estimated Value: $12.5k

Borkena ranks lowest in traffic but has the strongest backlink profile of all listed sites, even surpassing Addis Standard. Its authority is reflected in the estimated site value of $12.5k, the highest among the group. This indicates a trusted platform, even though its direct audience size is comparatively small.

4. Mereja Forum

• Traffic: 2.27k

• Backlinks: 8.81k

• Keywords Ranked: 1.32k

• Estimated Value: $2.54k

Mereja’s forum-based model fosters community discussion but attracts modest web traffic compared to news-centered sites. Its keyword coverage is the weakest (1.32k), which limits its visibility in search engines. Still, its niche role as a discussion hub keeps it relevant in Ethiopia’s online ecosystem.

5. The Reporter Ethiopia

• Traffic: 2.3k

• Backlinks: 18.9k

• Keywords Ranked: 9.44k

• Estimated Value: $16.6k

Despite lower traffic (2.3k), The Reporter Ethiopia has a strong digital footprint. With nearly 19k backlinks and 9.44k keywords, it commands both visibility and authority. Its estimated value of $16.6k—the highest among all sites analyzed—reflects a balance of credibility, reach, and long-term brand recognition.