Almost 240 news titles in the U.K. have joined Google News Showcase since its launch at the beginning of last year, the most recent is The Guardian, says the company.
Keith Underwood, CEO of The Guardian, commented: “We are pleased to have expanded our partnership with Google to make our journalism available in digital, video and other formats in ways that will engage even wider audiences. This new deal supports further investment in journalism and will bring a new audience back to our sites where we can build deeper relationships of enduring value.”
According to Google, local news publishers make up 93% of the titles who have signed up to News Showcase in the U.K. to curate news and increase their engagement with online audiences. These include Grantham Journal, NationalWorld.com, Reach’s Belfast Live and Clear Sky’s North Devon Gazette.
Mark Thompson, editor of National World, says: "We believe it is vital that our stories, videos and images are given the value they deserve so that we can produce ever more insightful, reliable and relevant journalism for audiences all over the UK. News Showcase has enabled our teams based in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to display their impressive work on a great platform and in a meaningful way.”
Simon Bax, CEO of Clear Sky, added: "Joining the Google News Showcase has had a dramatic and immediate effect as it has enabled us to hire an additional journalist, has elevated our standing within the community and has increased the team's self-assurance."
Google recently announced that they are making it easier to find local publishers in Google News Showcase by bringing their panels into the local section of Google News. Through their partnerships with local news publishers in the U.K., says Google, they have seen how local news is an essential way for readers to connect to their communities and ensure they get the news that impacts their day-to-day lives.
