UK adland becomes Google-land | Why AI search might not wipe us out
And New York Times executive editor Joseph Kahn says to hell with both-sides journalism
The latest UK ad market figures from AA/Warc explain a lot about what is going on (and wrong) in news media right now.
As total UK ad spend grew 6.1% to £36.6bn, the amount spent with publishers declined in every category (analogue and digital) with the exception of broadcaster video on demand.
Just under £2bn was spent on advertising with every UK news and magazine brand combined (print and online) versus more £14bn spent with Google alone.
The figures show that we have not been in an advertising recession (advertising is booming) but the market appears to be broken as far as the producers of professionally-produced content are concerned.
In more positive news, we report on comments made by Bauer's global head of SEO Stuart Forrest at the PPA Festival about why the advent of generative AI search may not be the publisher-killer many fear it will be.
The question is: does Google want to become a publisher? If it starts answering news queries entirely on its own platform, then it will surely become legally liable for what its large language model is saying (hallucinations and all).
We have also been reporting from this week's other big publisher event in London, the INMA World Congress of News Media. Among the speakers were New York Times executive editor Joseph Kahn on why reporting both sides can be bad for journalism and how he is having to train young journalist to leave their personal opinions at the door.
We will have more reports from both the PPA and INMA events over the next week.
New from Press Gazette
Google takes lion’s share of growing UK ad market as publishers lose out
The UK ad market grew 6.1% to £36.6bn in 2023 - but tech platforms took all the growth.
Why AI-powered search from Google may NOT be disaster for publishers
Bauer's global head of SEO on why the arrival of Google's SGE might not be all bad for publishers.
How New York Times plans to cover Donald Trump’s third presidential campaign
Executive editor Joseph Kahn also addressed dealing with fact NYT may publish views its journalists disagree with.
Previously on Press Gazette
The Lever gets reader backing to expose corporate corruption and grows editorial team
Andrew Neil says GB News can never be profitable on current path
Guardian makes rejecting tracking cookies easier as it promotes cookie-less solution
‘Anti-trans narratives’ see Unherd put on advertising blacklist
Google trials removal of California news sites in response to proposed ‘link tax’
Henry Winter launches Substack: ‘I’m going to Euros… but I’ll be in an Airbnb’
Trading platform bets on ad-funded business journalism with Sherwood News
Our latest podcast
Podcast 69: How different minds can thrive in news media
Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford talks about exclusive new research on the prevalence of neurodiversity in news media. He also speaks to Times Radio journalist Darryl Morris and freelance journalist Lydia Wilkins about the benefits and challenges ADHD and autistic thinkers can bring to jobs in journalism.
Press Gazette live
Entries are now OPEN for the Future of Media Awards 2024 (which celebrate the best journalism-based digital products). Check out the full list of categories here. Note: These awards are free to enter.