Reach cuts 220 editorial jobs as AI summaries reduce traffic
Reach plc announced 220 editorial job cuts and closure of three online brands, attributing the restructuring to a 46% decline in Google referral traffic caused by AI-powered search summaries that reduce reader clicks to news websites.
What happened
Reach plc announced the elimination of 220 editorial jobs and closure of three online-only brands (KentLive, AberdeenLive, and GalwayBeo) to adapt to a dramatic fall in online traffic.
The publisher cited a 46% year-on-year decline in traffic from Google driven by AI features such as Google's AI Mode and AI Overviews, which generate summaries that negate the need for readers to click through to publisher websites.
Reported impact
Digital page views have slumped significantly, with digital revenues falling by almost 1% to £128.9m in the year to 3 March.
The restructure represents the latest round of cuts by Reach, which in September put 600 roles at risk and ended up cutting more than 300 editorial jobs.
Index analysis
Google's AI Mode and AI Overviews summarise news content, reducing referral traffic to publisher websites and impacting digital revenue.
Governance controls
Reach stated it would create about 60 new editorial roles focused on digital revenue growth, subscriptions, and longer-form video production.
The company said it would move away from traditional page view metrics in favour of focusing on 'active engaged time' and emphasised more original journalism and distinctive brands over story volume.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.