#press-funding-and-paywalls
#press-funding-and-paywalls

OpenAI Says It's Already Made $100 Million by Stuffing ChatGPT With Ads

OpenAI has generated $100 million in ad revenue from ChatGPT in two months, with projections reaching $100 billion by 2030.

YouTube users frustrated by unskippable 90-second-plus ads: 'I instantly went speechless'

YouTube users are frustrated with unskippable ads on the platform, leading to calls for better user experience.

Television

fromWide Open Country

Controversial YouTube TV Changes Sparks Uproar From Users

YouTube's introduction of 90-second unskippable ads on its TV app has sparked significant user backlash.

fromArs Technica

YouTube increases Premium price again, says 90-second unskippable ads are a bug

YouTube users face longer unskippable ads, with reports of 90-second ads despite the company's denial of such formats.

fromBGR

YouTube Claims It Isn't Testing 90-Second Unskippable Ads - But Users Say Otherwise - BGR

YouTube is facing backlash for introducing longer unskippable ads, with users reporting 90-second ads despite the company's denial of such formats.

Those 90-second YouTube ads you saw? YouTube says they don't exist

YouTube denies the existence of 90-second unskippable ads despite user reports of experiencing them.

fromAndroid Authority

YouTube swears those 90-second non-skippable ads aren't intentional

YouTube is investigating reports of unintentional 90-second non-skippable ads on its TV app, which exceed the standard 30-second limit.

fromThe Cool Down

14 hours ago

YouTube users frustrated by unskippable 90-second-plus ads: 'I instantly went speechless'

YouTube users are frustrated with unskippable ads on the platform, leading to calls for better user experience.

Television

fromWide Open Country

Controversial YouTube TV Changes Sparks Uproar From Users

YouTube's introduction of 90-second unskippable ads on its TV app has sparked significant user backlash.

fromArs Technica

YouTube increases Premium price again, says 90-second unskippable ads are a bug

YouTube users face longer unskippable ads, with reports of 90-second ads despite the company's denial of such formats.

fromBGR

YouTube Claims It Isn't Testing 90-Second Unskippable Ads - But Users Say Otherwise - BGR

YouTube is facing backlash for introducing longer unskippable ads, with users reporting 90-second ads despite the company's denial of such formats.

Those 90-second YouTube ads you saw? YouTube says they don't exist

YouTube denies the existence of 90-second unskippable ads despite user reports of experiencing them.

fromAndroid Authority

YouTube swears those 90-second non-skippable ads aren't intentional

YouTube is investigating reports of unintentional 90-second non-skippable ads on its TV app, which exceed the standard 30-second limit.

Does age verification for social media help protect kids?

Governments are implementing age limits on social media to protect minors, but experts question the effectiveness of such measures.

fromHer Campus

They Knew, They Didn't Care, & We Are All Paying For It

Social media platforms like Instagram have been found liable for mental health damage to young users, with internal documents revealing harmful strategies targeting teens.

Digital life

fromwww.dw.com

23 minutes ago

Does age verification for social media help protect kids?

Governments are implementing age limits on social media to protect minors, but experts question the effectiveness of such measures.

fromHer Campus

They Knew, They Didn't Care, & We Are All Paying For It

Social media platforms like Instagram have been found liable for mental health damage to young users, with internal documents revealing harmful strategies targeting teens.

more#social-media

#creator-economy

fromGREY Journal

How Creators Make Money in 2026

Creators in 2026 rely on multiple revenue streams, treating content as a business distribution channel rather than the business itself.

fromTNW | Apps

Picsart launches

Picsart's new monetization program rewards creators based on content performance, challenging traditional follower-based earnings models.

The influencer economy's invisible workers are first in line for the AI chop

The creator economy relies on a hidden labor force and AI tools to produce content efficiently, often at the expense of workers' roles.

fromGREY Journal

How Creators Make Money in 2026

Creators in 2026 rely on multiple revenue streams, treating content as a business distribution channel rather than the business itself.

fromTNW | Apps

Picsart launches

Picsart's new monetization program rewards creators based on content performance, challenging traditional follower-based earnings models.

The influencer economy's invisible workers are first in line for the AI chop

The creator economy relies on a hidden labor force and AI tools to produce content efficiently, often at the expense of workers' roles.

Phoebe Gates and the contentious debate over fair pay for influencers

Expectations for budget management differ for founders based on their family wealth, as seen in the case of Phoebe Gates.

#polymarket

fromThe Verge

22 hours ago

Media industry

Google says Polymarket bets showing up in News was an 'error'

Google News Now Prominently Featuring Polymarket Bets Alongside Actual Journalism

Polymarket bets are now featured prominently in Google News alongside traditional news articles.

fromThe Verge

22 hours ago

Media industry

Google says Polymarket bets showing up in News was an 'error'

Google News Now Prominently Featuring Polymarket Bets Alongside Actual Journalism

Polymarket bets are now featured prominently in Google News alongside traditional news articles.

more#polymarket

fromBloomberglaw

CNN Stuck With Suit Challenging Use of Online Tracking Tools

Lead plaintiff Anthony D'Antonio established he suffered a concrete injury sufficient to establish standing to sue in federal court, according to Judge Victor Marrero.

Privacy professionals

Podcast

fromRAIN News

RAIN Notes: April 9

Podcast campaigns often hit scale ceilings due to targeting and brand safety filters, not audience size.

NYC startup

New York Times Makes Substantial Changes to Article That Glazed a Sleazy AI Startup: "Our Piece Should Have Included That Information"

Medvi, an AI-driven startup, faces legal scrutiny and regulatory violations despite being portrayed as a success story by the New York Times.

#youtube-premium

fromGSMArena.com

Mobile UX

YouTube Premium gets even more expensive

Games

fromKotaku

YouTube Is Raising The Price Of Avoiding Its Terrible Ads

YouTube Premium prices are increasing, while Rust 2 is not in development according to its studio founder.

fromEngadget

fromwww.businessinsider.com

Digital life

YouTube Premium's US pricing is going up

Television

YouTube Premium is increasing US prices for the first time since 2023

fromLifehacker

YouTube Is Raising Prices for Premium Subscribers

YouTube Premium prices are increasing, causing user frustration and dissatisfaction with the service.

fromGSMArena.com

Mobile UX

YouTube Premium gets even more expensive

Games

fromKotaku

YouTube Is Raising The Price Of Avoiding Its Terrible Ads

YouTube Premium prices are increasing, while Rust 2 is not in development according to its studio founder.

fromEngadget

fromwww.businessinsider.com

Digital life

YouTube Premium's US pricing is going up

Television

YouTube Premium is increasing US prices for the first time since 2023

fromLifehacker

YouTube Is Raising Prices for Premium Subscribers

YouTube Premium prices are increasing, causing user frustration and dissatisfaction with the service.

The Washington Post's Arc XP adds TollBit to help publishers make money from AI bot traffic

Arc XP integrates with TollBit to help publishers monetize AI bot traffic and manage scraping effectively.

Video games

fromEngadget

Amazon Luna ends support for third-party subscriptions and game purchases

Amazon is discontinuing third-party integrations on Luna, affecting subscriptions and game access.

Meta Is Pulling Down Ads That Seek to Recruit Clients for Social Media Addiction Litigation

Meta is removing ads from attorneys recruiting clients for social media addiction lawsuits after recent legal defeats.

Law

fromNewsmax

Meta Pulls Lawyer Ads After Social Media Lawsuit Loss

Meta is removing ads from lawyers seeking clients harmed by social media addiction amid ongoing lawsuits.

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

Meta removes ads that encourage litigation against the company

Meta limits free speech by removing ads from attorneys seeking clients harmed by social media, contradicting Zuckerberg's claims about promoting free expression.

fromNew York Post

Meta boots law firm ads seeking clients to sue over alleged Facebook, Instagram addiction

Meta is removing ads aimed at recruiting plaintiffs for lawsuits related to mental health effects of its platforms.

Law

fromgizmodo.com

Meta Is Pulling Down Ads That Seek to Recruit Clients for Social Media Addiction Litigation

Meta is removing ads from attorneys recruiting clients for social media addiction lawsuits after recent legal defeats.

Law

fromNewsmax

Meta Pulls Lawyer Ads After Social Media Lawsuit Loss

Meta is removing ads from lawyers seeking clients harmed by social media addiction amid ongoing lawsuits.

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

Meta removes ads that encourage litigation against the company

Meta limits free speech by removing ads from attorneys seeking clients harmed by social media, contradicting Zuckerberg's claims about promoting free expression.

fromNew York Post

Meta boots law firm ads seeking clients to sue over alleged Facebook, Instagram addiction

Meta is removing ads aimed at recruiting plaintiffs for lawsuits related to mental health effects of its platforms.

more#meta

#fact-checking

Non-profit organizations

Fact-checkers reached more people in 2025. That didn't help their finances - Poynter

Fact-checking organizations face financial challenges and staff cuts, yet audience growth continues amidst uncertainty in funding and coverage.

State of the Fact-Checkers: Audiences grow as finances worsen - Poynter

Fact-checking organizations expanded their audiences in 2025 despite financial vulnerabilities, with significant shifts in funding sources and staffing.

Non-profit organizations

Fact-checkers reached more people in 2025. That didn't help their finances - Poynter

Fact-checking organizations face financial challenges and staff cuts, yet audience growth continues amidst uncertainty in funding and coverage.

State of the Fact-Checkers: Audiences grow as finances worsen - Poynter

Fact-checking organizations expanded their audiences in 2025 despite financial vulnerabilities, with significant shifts in funding sources and staffing.

The 'Sneaky' Ways Companies Are Making You Pay More - Without Raising Prices

Companies are creatively offsetting price increases due to rising fuel costs, often passing hidden costs to consumers.

World politics

Fact-checking is crucial when the news moves this fast - Poynter

The U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iranian targets, prompting extensive fact-checking on claims regarding military capabilities and misinformation.

UX design

fromSmashing Magazine

Identifying Necessary Transparency Moments In Agentic AI (Part 1) - Smashing Magazine

Designing for agentic AI requires balancing transparency and simplicity to build user trust without overwhelming them with information.

fromWIRED

The Indie News Queen Who's Not Done Pissing Off the Powerful

Amy Goodman, a prominent journalist, is the focus of the documentary 'Steal This Story, Please!', showcasing her relentless pursuit of truth.

fromBGR

Here's How Facebook Decides What Ads To Show You (And How To Change Them) - BGR

Facebook collects user data to personalize ads based on activity and interests.

Scaling Success: How AI is Reshaping Publisher Deals

AI is transforming publisher deals by enabling advertisers to find new audiences at scale while maintaining relevance and performance.

Media industry

News/Media Alliance signs AI licensing deal to unlock recurring RAG revenue for small and mid-sized publishers

The News/Media Alliance partners with Bria to monetize publisher content through AI-driven enterprise demand.

Scaling Success: How AI is Reshaping Publisher Deals

AI is transforming publisher deals by enabling advertisers to find new audiences at scale while maintaining relevance and performance.

News/Media Alliance signs AI licensing deal to unlock recurring RAG revenue for small and mid-sized publishers

The News/Media Alliance partners with Bria to monetize publisher content through AI-driven enterprise demand.

Scoop: Meta removes ads for social media addiction litigation

Lawyers are seeking new plaintiffs for class action lawsuits related to social media addiction, with ads running on major platforms.

fromWIRED

How the Internet Broke Everyone's Bullshit Detectors

Synthetic media is reshaping information warfare, prioritizing speed and virality over accuracy in online content.

Television

fromCBR

Say Goodbye to a Major Streaming Service as Prime Video Phaseout Begins

Prime Video replaces its Ad Free plan with a new, improved Ultra plan featuring higher pricing and enhanced streaming options.

Non-profit organizations

The nonprofit Salt Lake Tribune is ready to tear down its paywall

Salt Lake Tribune will eliminate its paywall in May, making all new stories free to read.

Media Briefing: Another AI threat emerges for publishers: the third-party scraper

Publishers are alarmed as third-party web scrapers profit from their content without compensation, creating a black market for AI content licensing.

from24/7 Wall St.

Got $10,000? Here's the Clear Winner Between Meta and Alphabet

Alphabet and Meta both exceeded quarterly expectations, but their business models and AI strategies differ significantly.

fromForbes

The Age Of "Interest Media" Is Here-Here's How Your Business Can Tap In

The 'interest media' era allows small businesses to reach potential customers beyond follower numbers through personalized content.

fromModern Retail

A group of seven-figure Amazon sellers is planning a one-day ad boycott as payment changes squeeze cash flow

Amazon sellers are organizing a one-day boycott of advertising on April 15 to protest a new payment policy affecting their cash flow.

Saving local news also means saving the archives - Poynter

Loss of local news archives leads to a significant loss of memory, culture, identity, and reality.

fromGothamist

NJ newsrooms are dying and shrinking, but is government funding the answer?

Local news coverage in New Jersey is declining, threatening community connection and information access.

US politics

Even amid setbacks, public funding for local news is expanding at the state level - Poynter

Saving local news also means saving the archives - Poynter

Loss of local news archives leads to a significant loss of memory, culture, identity, and reality.

fromGothamist

NJ newsrooms are dying and shrinking, but is government funding the answer?

Local news coverage in New Jersey is declining, threatening community connection and information access.

US politics

Even amid setbacks, public funding for local news is expanding at the state level - Poynter

Future of Marketing Briefing: The ad industry has an AI label problem

The ad industry struggles with AI transparency, balancing honesty against potential loss in ad effectiveness.

fromPR Daily

A landmark ruling is reshaping social media. Communicators should pay attention. - PR Daily

A court ruling holds social media platforms accountable for addictive designs impacting user mental health.

from24/7 Wall St.

Meta Platforms Gains 4%: Strong Ad Revenue Growth and PayPal Partnership Put the Stock Back in Focus

Meta Platforms stock surged 4% due to strong AI-driven ad revenue growth and a new partnership with PayPal for social commerce.

fromThe Phoblographer

fromWashingtonian - The website that Washington lives by.

How You Can Help Us Protect Photographers

Phoblographer aims to reduce reliance on ads by promoting a subscription model for sustainable funding.

Privacy technologies

The Washington Post Is Using Reader Data To Set Subscription Prices. How Does That Work? - Washingtonian

The Washington Post uses algorithmic pricing based on personal data to set subscription rates differently for individual users.

fromTNW | Artificial-Intelligence

How AI marketplaces are reshaping editorial advertising in 2026

The traditional workflow for editorial advertising is outdated, relying heavily on manual processes and lengthy email chains.

Teads Expands Commitment to Inventory Quality & Safety Through Partnership with NewsGuard

Teads expands partnership with NewsGuard to enhance inventory quality and brand safety in its advertising marketplace.

Nonprofit newsrooms have grown, but they still generate a fraction of what newspapers once did - Poynter

Digital-first nonprofit newsrooms require sustained philanthropic support to achieve financial sustainability and rebuild local news infrastructure lost over the past two decades.

ProPublica journalists walk off the job in first U.S. newsroom strike over AI

Propublica Guild members went on a 24-hour strike to pressure management for fair pay and protections against AI-related layoffs.

ProPublica's union staged a 24-hour strike over AI, job protections - Poynter

ProPublica workers staged a strike over contract negotiations, focusing on protections against layoffs in an AI-driven industry.

ProPublica journalists walk off the job in first U.S. newsroom strike over AI

Propublica Guild members went on a 24-hour strike to pressure management for fair pay and protections against AI-related layoffs.

#programmatic-advertising

ProPublica's union staged a 24-hour strike over AI, job protections - Poynter

ProPublica workers staged a strike over contract negotiations, focusing on protections against layoffs in an AI-driven industry.

MS NOW is investing in local news and original reporting as it builds a post-NBC identity - Poynter

MS NOW is expanding into local news through partnerships with nonprofit journalism organizations to enhance original reporting and localized coverage.

fromThe American Prospect

Why We're Removing Our Programmatic Ads - The American Prospect

Programmatic advertising will be removed from The American Prospect's website to respect reader privacy and improve user experience.

Marketing tech

Future of Marketing Briefing: A cynic's guide to the most transparent dispute in programmatic history

fromThe American Prospect

Why We're Removing Our Programmatic Ads - The American Prospect

Programmatic advertising will be removed from The American Prospect's website to respect reader privacy and improve user experience.

more#programmatic-advertising

Future of Marketing Briefing: A cynic's guide to the most transparent dispute in programmatic history

Transparency disputes in programmatic advertising reveal deeper control issues among major holding companies and The Trade Desk.

Artificial intelligence

A new global push would make AI companies pay for news - Poynter

Statutory licensing laws could require AI companies to automatically pay publishers for content used in training, addressing compensation gaps left by litigation and individual deals.

The Stack: Streaming Shake-Up

Tubi is pioneering a ChatGPT-native app launch, showcasing the integration of AI technology into streaming services and enhancing user engagement through innovative features.

Media industry

Stop blaming Big Tech. Start rebuilding journalism

Fighting Big Tech for compensation is not the main battle for journalism's survival; rebuilding trust and embracing technology is essential.

Media industry

How newsrooms are bringing their archives to life

News organizations are repurposing archives to create new stories and engage audiences, moving beyond simple reprints.

fromwww.dw.com

Stop blaming Big Tech. Start rebuilding journalism

Fighting Big Tech for compensation is not the main battle for journalism's survival; rebuilding trust and embracing technology is essential.

How newsrooms are bringing their archives to life

News organizations are repurposing archives to create new stories and engage audiences, moving beyond simple reprints.

Do links hurt news publishers on Twitter? Our analysis suggests yes

Links in tweets negatively impact engagement for news publishers on Twitter.

fromTechdirt

Someone Filed a Bogus DMCA Notice to Kill a Story About A Sketchy SEO Firm. It Worked - Briefly.

The DMCA's notice-and-takedown system encourages abuse, prioritizing speed over accuracy and allowing censorship by those with dishonest intentions.

Student newspapers still dominate campuses. This newsletter shows what else is possible. - Poynter

Tomo Chien's newsletter, Morning, Trojan, offers a unique independent news source for USC students, blending hard news with humor and engaging a large subscriber base.

Digiday+ Research: Publishers apply AI to streamline tasks and improve audience experience

Publishers are increasingly integrating AI into editorial workflows to streamline tasks and enhance audience experience.

Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Instructs Staff to Welcome AI Sloplords

Emma Tucker praised AI journalism efforts, emphasizing its importance and urging others to embrace it or leave the field.

fromFast Company

Fox is the latest to add prediction markets as a new 'data layer' for news coverage

Fox Corporation partners with Kalshi to integrate prediction market data into its cable networks, enhancing reporting with real-time forecasts.

fromAdExchanger

Who Needs 'Corrosive Intermediaries' Anyway? | AdExchanger

Publishers face significant challenges but can innovate to improve their position in the programmatic supply chain.

fromTech Times

Substack Writers Transform Newsletter Platforms with Paid Subs and the Power of the Creator Economy

Substack empowers independent writers to manage their own audiences and monetize content through a simple, community-driven newsletter platform.

Associated Press starts offering buyouts to newspaper journalists amid wider AI transformation | Fortune

The Associated Press is offering buyouts to U.S. journalists to shift focus from print journalism to visual journalism and new revenue sources.

The AP is offering buyouts in a pivot away from newspapers

The Associated Press is shifting focus from newspapers to visual journalism and AI-driven revenue sources due to declining newspaper income.

fromFortune

Associated Press starts offering buyouts to newspaper journalists amid wider AI transformation | Fortune

The Associated Press is offering buyouts to U.S. journalists to shift focus from print journalism to visual journalism and new revenue sources.

The AP is offering buyouts in a pivot away from newspapers

The Associated Press is shifting focus from newspapers to visual journalism and AI-driven revenue sources due to declining newspaper income.

more#associated-press

fromFast Company

Publishers are finally getting serious about AI scraping

ChatGPT's 900 million users demonstrate AI's rapid growth as a discovery channel, creating urgency around content compensation and generative engine optimization as publishers seek fair value for scraped content.

fromAdExchanger

Keyword Blocking Demonetized More Than Half Of Reuters' Brand-Safe Stories | AdExchanger

Advertisers should abandon keyword blocklists to improve ad placements and reach loyal news audiences.

How V Spehar built a news business from under a desk

News creators like Vitus Spehar are redefining journalism for younger audiences through engaging and accessible content on social media.

Three newsletters for the price of 1.5: Independent journalists experiment with a bundle

Bundling independent journalism subscriptions can reduce costs for readers and support multiple writers effectively.

Digiday+ Research: How Dow Jones, Forbes, The Guardian and other publisher revenue streams are shifting in 2026

Publishers are diversifying revenue streams amid economic challenges, focusing on ads, events, and subscriptions, with events gaining prominence since 2025.

How Publishers are Balancing AI Fear with Opportunity

The publishing industry is navigating AI adoption with a focus on innovation while maintaining quality and ethical standards.

Nonprofit news outlets had a strong traffic month in January

Colorado Sun's traffic surged 53% in January due to engaging local stories and events.

fromAdExchanger

Local Publishers Hit By AI Traffic Drops Collaborate For Revenue Relief | AdExchanger

AI-generated answers are diminishing traffic for smaller publishers, prompting collaboration to enhance reach and revenue.

In Graphic Detail: The scale of the challenge facing publishers, politicians eager to damage Google's adland dominance

Alphabet earned $403 billion in 2025 while facing antitrust rulings, EU scrutiny, industry dissatisfaction with ad measurement, and initiatives to reform ad-tech measurement.

fromNew York Post

Embattled BuzzFeed warns end could be near as it faces major cash crunch

BuzzFeed flagged going concern doubts and suspended 2026 forecasts while evaluating strategic options, with stock declining 7% as the company faces severe cash constraints and advertising revenue challenges.

fromHamiltonnolan

Patrons of Journalism

Advertising has historically funded journalism, creating tension between editorial independence and business interests, though this model now faces disruption from tech platforms monopolizing ad revenue.

In Graphic Detail: Subscriptions are rising at big news publishers - even as traffic shrinks

Rather than undercutting prices to chase growth, many are leaning into higher-value positioning and introductory offers designed to convert (and keep) paying readers. Digiday's third annual Subscription Index found that publishers increased subscription prices by 5 percent year over year in 2025, based on a cohort of 14 publishers. (Bloomberg increased its annual subscription pricing by an eye-opening 33 percent year over year, up from $299 annually in 2024 to $399 in 2025).

Media industry