Apple News has become a key driver of traffic for various publications. However, one major name that has thus far been unable to join the platform is the Daily Mail. The outlet traditionally generates huge amounts of Google search traffic. The infamous “sidebar of shame” is known to keep people on the site for a while. However, parent company DMGT has complained to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that Cupertino is not letting it into its increasingly important app. Per the Telegraph:
Apple has refused to allow the Mail to feature its articles on Apple News, Britain’s most widely used news app, the news group has told the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). It claims Apple is concerned that allowing the Mail onto its app will harm other outlets and that the publisher’s size would “overwhelm Apple’s ecosystem”.
Before anyone jumps to conclusions, this has nothing to do with the Daily Mail’s politics or editorial stance. A quick flick through Apple News and its premium News+ service makes it clear how determined Apple is to have some kind of balance in there.
And it is hard to get into, whoever you are. The other day, I spoke to one digital leader at a news organisation who was trying to navigate the application process. It seems it is, in typical Apple fashion, somewhat opaque. Neither Apple nor the Daily Mail commented when I reached out to both. There has been no public comment from the CMA either. DMGT did say that “Apple uses its dominance in mobile ecosystems to advantage Apple News,” in a filing.
The Battle for Apple News
It is not hard to see why DMGT is so keen to get its outlet onto Apple News. As search traffic gets eaten up by AI, Apple News is taking on increasing importance. Recent numbers show that visits to the Daily Mail website last month were down 44% year-on-year to 76.8 million.
At a certain level, Apple has the right to let in, or not, whoever it wants. However, we’ve seen on other occasions, such as Apple’s row with Epic Games, that it is not that straightforward when you’re talking about such a key platform in a crucial global ecosystem like iOS. Apple News comes pre-installed on every iPhone, as well as every Mac and iPad.
Meta is among the tech companies to have given up on news – it’s more trouble than it is worth. It is unlikely Apple will come to the same conclusion any time soon, but this clash with DMGT highlights some of the difficulties of moving into this space.
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