Driving Traffic and Revenue Through Apple News+

EDITOR'S NOTE

by Vahe Arabian , Founder of SODP

The recent shift in traffic dynamics—stemming from Facebook’s reduced focus on news and Google’s fluctuating algorithms—has left many digital publishers scrambling for alternatives.?

Amidst this, Apple News+ has emerged as a crucial revenue stream, exemplified by The Daily Beast's projected $3-4 million earnings from the platform alone this year.

For publishers like Condé Nast, Vox, Hearst, and Time, Apple News+ represents a significant source of direct revenue. A Time spokesperson highlighted its importance, revealing that Apple News delivers 7-figures of revenue annually and attracts millions of unique visitors.?

However, this partnership isn’t without its challenges. It necessitates reliance on Apple’s platform, potentially cannibalizing direct subscriptions and shifting editorial strategies to align with Apple’s content preferences.

Challenges and Solutions:

• Data Transparency: One of the key issues is the lack of direct subscriber data from Apple News+, which limits publishers' ability to build direct relationships with readers. Publishers should advocate for more transparency and data sharing to understand their audience better.
• Revenue Distribution: With Apple taking a significant revenue cut, publishers need to evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Diversifying revenue streams and not solely relying on Apple News+ can mitigate this risk.
• Editorial Independence: The influence of Apple News+ on editorial decisions is another concern. Publishers should strive to maintain editorial independence while leveraging the platform's benefits. Creating unique, high-quality content that stands out can help achieve this balance.

Despite these concerns, the advantages of Apple News+ are evident. It provides a platform for quality journalism and offers a discovery tool for new audiences. While growing its membership business, Slate's approach to using Apple News+ for audience discovery showcases a balanced strategy.

For publishers navigating these changes, maintaining a multi-platform presence and advocating for better terms with Apple can ensure sustainable growth. The digital publishing landscape is evolving, and adapting to these shifts is crucial for continued success.

Here are the Key Takeaways:

1. Apple News+ can be a significant revenue source, but reliance on it requires careful consideration of its impact on direct subscriptions and editorial strategies.
2. Publishers should push for more transparency from Apple to build direct relationships with their readers.
3. Diversifying revenue streams and maintaining editorial independence are essential to leverage the benefits of Apple News+ effectively.

Credit to Semafor for?originally covering this .

There Is Still Time to Register: Monetization Week – Online Event

My 27-31 (Monday-Friday) at 3 PM CET

5 sessions, 5 days, 1 hour each

You still have time to register for our virtual summit – Monetization Week!

• How do you monetize content through partnerships with ecommerce platforms and affiliate networks?
• How do you connect offline events to online offerings?
• What are the dos and don’ts of native advertising?
• What should you look for in your monetization team?

These and many more answers will be answered by our expert panel of speakers.

Register now →

Lightning Lesson: How to Navigate SGE and the Future of SEO for Publishers

June 6, 2024 (Thursday) at 2 PM ET | 11 AM PT | 8 PM CET

Free 45-minute session

Next month, Vahe Arabian , SODP's founder and 15+ years publisher SEO and audience growth veteran, is hosting a free lightning lesson on Maven.

In light of the numerous developments in 2024 that have had a massive impact on publishers’ SEO strategies, Vahe will discuss how to navigate the new era of search that AI Overviews promises to catapult publishers and audiences into.

• AI Overviews: What it is and why publishers should care: Learn why AI Overviews – formerly SGE – has the potential to disrupt publisher's audience growth models.
• Optimizing for AI Overviews: Understand how to adjust your SEO, content, and editorial strategies to the new reality of search.
• Upskilling the team: Inaction will leave many publishers behind. Learn which technical and content skills will be a must in the new era.

Grab your spot – it’s going to be an information-packed session.

Register now →

Teens See Social Media Algorithms as Accurate Reflections of Themselves, Study Finds

Social media apps regularly present teens with algorithmically selected content often described as “for you,” suggesting, by implication, that the curated content is not just “for you” but also “about you” – a mirror reflecting important signals about the person you are.

All users of social media are exposed to these signals, but researchers understand that teens are at an especially malleable stage in the formation of personal identity. Scholars have begun to demonstrate that technology is having generation-shaping effects, not merely in the way it influences cultural outlook, behavior and privacy, but also in the way it can shape personality among those brought up on social media.

The prevalence of the “for you” message raises important questions about the impact of these algorithms on how teens perceive themselves and see the world, and the subtle erosion of their privacy, which they accept in exchange for this view.

Continue reading →