JEDDAH: “We knew it all along and this only confirms our long-held conviction,” “Interesting newspaper,” “Reading the newspaper since 1987.” These are among the compliments Arab News received after a global survey listed the newspaper as the top English-language newspaper in the Arab world in terms of readership.

The rating was recently given by 4International Media & Newspapers (4imn.com), an international directory and search engine focusing on newspapers worldwide. The directory includes 7,000 newspapers, ranked by Web popularity, in 200 countries.

According to 4imn.com, the ranking is based upon an algorithm including three unbiased and independent Web metrics extracted from three different search engines: Google Page Rank, Alexa Traffic Rank and Majestic Seo Referring Domains.

According to the survey, Arab News is the No. 1 English language daily in the Gulf, followed by Gulf News (Dubai), The National (Abu Dhabi) and Khaleej Times (Dubai).

Acknowledging the overwhelming reader response to the newspaper’s top ranking, Arab News Editor in Chief Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi said: “We are committed to serving our readership, and this ranking adds a new element of responsibility on our experienced team of journalists.”

The editorial approach of Arab News has always been to present differing viewpoints on issues in the region and beyond. “Our focus is on ensuring that cultural or ideological differences should not mean disputes and hostility, and that we are part of a richly diverse world,” said Al-Harthi.

“Arab News has become a brand with undisputed credibility because of its objectivity, accuracy and sharp analyses. It has become a prime source of information for policy-makers, professionals and the corporate world,” said Al-Harthi. “The survey results, therefore, come as a pleasant surprise to all of us in the newsroom and beyond.”

The reader reaction on different Arab News platforms was ecstatic. On Facebook, Ahmed Yassin said: “I’m in the United States and I visit newspaper’s website every single minute. The only reason I visit Arab News is to know what is going on in Yemen and the Muslim world. Well done, Arab News.”

Shakir Husain, using the Twitter handle @Husain_Shakir, said: Congratulations, Arab News. (You) deserve the top slot.”

Joel Villanos Tena called the newspaper’s write-ups interesting. “You treat everyone equally. That is what responsible journalism is all about. More power to Arab News.”

Olak Adex from Nigeria said: “I read your newspaper just to know more about the world. Congrats.”

Jamela Dicaya Tundukan loves the newspaper “because I get to know all the issues. Arab News (reports) true news around the world.”

Rafia Janjua said: “I see my childhood in this newspaper. My father was a mechanical engineer in Madinah. We lived in Saudi Arabia for five years and always read Arab News.”

Abbas Khan, a Pakistani national, said: “What I like the most about Arab News is that it covers matters of other countries adequately.”

For Mohammed Abdul Moiz, “Arab News is one of the best English dailies in the Gulf.”

Khushi Fathima congratulated the newspaper, saying: “Continue by giving your readers the right information.”

Willy Isleta Beasca said: “I have been reading Arab News since 1987.”

Dolly Atif called Arab News the best newspaper. “I want to know about different cities in the Kingdom. So please add a column to tell us about different places in the Kingdom.”

Faiza Kamran called Arab News the best and the most reliable information outlet. “I read the Front Page as soon as it gets uploaded.”

Gordon Moolman said he reads the newspaper every day while Mohammed Ashfaq called the paper simple with true news.Sarah Parael said the daily provides credible and unbiased news, while Faiz said the newspaper is very good. “We can understand what’s going on in the Arab world,” said Faiz.