From traffic declines to adapting to the growing impact of generative AI on ad buying, publishers are navigating significant challenges in 2025. In times of uncertainty and rapid change, media and marketing leaders rely on Digiday+ for the expert insights and intel to lead their teams.

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Media Briefing: Publishers see Apple News+ as a stable revenue stream amid ‘volatile’ referral traffic

By Sara Guaglione

This week’s Media Briefing looks at the role Apple News+ plays in publishers’ audience and revenue ambitions. Execs told Digiday they are seeing continued growth in engagement — and therefore revenue — on the platform, which is a welcome change from the unstable referral traffic ecosystem.

• Apple News+ is a “growing” source of audience and revenue

• The LA Times pulls AI bias meter, The Wall Street Journal reorganizes tech coverage and more

Apple News+ audiences are ‘growing’

Publishers are feeling quietly optimistic about Apple’s latest efforts to develop its news subscription product.

Apple News+ will include a new food section with the iOS 18.4 update in April — a welcome addition for publishers facing ongoing pressure from declining platform referral traffic.

Dotdash Meredith is one of 21 Apple News+ publisher partners joining Apple News+ Food, bringing in its publications Allrecipes, Food & Wine, Serious Eats, Better Homes & Gardens and Real Simple. Condé Nast, Hearst and U.K. publishers the Telegraph and Good Food will also be featured in the new section, which will pull in recipes and food-related stories like restaurant reviews and travel articles from the featured publishers.

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