Apple connects its Podcasts app to publisher subscriptions
Apple will allow users to unlock subscriber-only content from third-party subscriptions within its Podcasts app.
Subscription Publishing Briefing: October 2
New data on consumer perception of news subscriptions from The Reuters Institute, and Apple connects its Podcasts app to publisher subscriptions.
Misleading subscription practices risk undermining publishers’ editorial credibility
Aggressive acquisition and retention approaches can help publishers boost revenue in the short term, but they risk undermining credibility with audiences.
Amazon execs intentionally deceived Prime subscribers, FTC says
Amazon executives were “okay” with people being signed up for Amazon Prime membership without their knowledge, the FTC said in an amended lawsuit.
CNN mulls new digital subscription products
The news giant intends to monetize a portion of its 149 million web visitors via subscriptions under the direction of incoming CEO Mark Thompson.
Passive renewals could boost subscription revenue by 200%
New research highlights the extent to which some publishers might be relying on revenue from unengaged and inattentive portions of their subscriber bases.
Quantifying paywall circumvention remains a challenge
Few publishers have an accurate read on what portion of their audiences might be bypassing their paywalls, let alone a nuanced understanding of the impact it could have on their businesses.
Click-to-cancel requirements introduced in France
A new decree has entered into force in France requiring that businesses allow consumers to cancel subscriptions and contracts online in three clicks or fewer.
Click-to-cancel: Public comments on FTC proposal highlight subscription frustrations
Consumers are frustrated by the subscription practices employed by many companies, and would support any changes that give them greater control.
Which marketing messages drive news subscriptions most effectively?
When attempting to convince consumers to pay for news subscriptions, publishers should give consumers multiple reasons to do so, according to a new study.
Weathering the Storm: How subscription publishers are navigating economic instability
A new Toolkits report explores how publishers are adjusting their approaches to drive subscription success despite challenging market conditions.
Subscription Publishing Briefing: Q2 2023
This report explores the themes that will shape subscription publishing in the second quarter, and runs down the events that defined Q1.
Research: Succeeding with subscriptions
Exploring consumer attitudes and behaviors toward publishers’ digital subscription products.
Reducing passive subscriber churn
Tactics for mitigating passive subscriber churn and minimizing lost revenue from payment failures.
Limiting password sharing for subscription products
Tactics for limiting password sharing activity and using it as a growth opportunity.
Managing “sleeper” subscribers
What to do when subscribers aren’t actually using the products or services they’re paying for.
SEO strategies for paywalled content
Strategies and tactics to ensure optimal search performance for paywalled content.
Comparing server-side and client-side paywall technology
Each approach comes with advantages, drawbacks and unique considerations.
Onboarding subscribers
Implementing highly effective onboarding processes that help minimize churn and boost subscriber engagement, retention and revenue.
Publisher brands with the most digital subscribers
English-language publisher brands ranked by total number of digital subscribers.
U.S. publisher brands with the most digital subscribers
Top U.S.-based publisher brands ranked by total number of digital subscribers.
Job vacancies in subscription publishing
Explore new and noteworthy job opportunities in and around subscription publishing.
Top publishers’ subscription landing pages
A snapshot of 25 leading publishers’ subscription landing page approaches.
FTC sues Amazon for ‘deceptive’ subscription sign-up and cancellation processes
The Federal Trade Commission said Amazon used “dark patterns” to trick consumers into enrolling in automatically renewing Prime subscriptions.
Promotional subscription prices nearly halved in the past year
The average price offered to new subscribers dropped 43% between June 2022 and June 2023, according to Toolkits research.
Subscription insights from the 2023 Digital News Report
More U.S. consumers are paying for news, but establishing long-term subscriber relationships remains challenging.
Subscription law complexity highlighted by New York Times lawsuit
The publisher faces legal action for failing to present its subscription pricing in a bolded typeface.
5 subscription lessons from The New York Times’ chief growth officer
The publisher’s chief growth and customer officer, Hannah Yang, provides insight into the tactics and approaches underpinning its subscription growth.
‘A torrent of crap’: News publishers see trust as a differentiator as AI content proliferates
The rise of AI-generated content could help news publishers establish stronger relationships with audiences.
Google steps up subscription initiatives for publishers as it transitions to AI-driven search
Helping news publishers build subscription and reader revenue could enable Google to maintain access to their content.