September 21, 2026  |  SIGN UP

Sara Jerde
DIGIDAY, MANAGING EDITOR

For many large publishers, the court’s refusal to force a Google AdX breakup didn’t land as a shock, or even much of a defeat. In fact, it seems like the decision is mostly landing with a shrug. We broke down what is changing (what’s not) and where it might be headed.

Separately, I hope you read our newsroom’s coverage where we put a spotlight on Google’s pay-per-value AI licensing program to some publishers. Of course, this comes as media businesses try to shore up ways to restore traffic losses in the post-Google era.

Additional questions we’re asking:

• What does the OpenAI-NYT twist mean for publishers?

More of our media coverage

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GOOGLE ON TRIAL

Google divestiture is dead — and publishers are fine with that

Publishers didn’t get a Google AdX breakup; they got behavioral remedies, promised transparency and a new reminder that Google’s real power lies in controlling demand, not pipes.

GOOGLE ON TRIAL

Google’s ad tech remedies decoded: what changes, what doesn’t and what will take years

Google proposed restraint. The DOJ proposed surgery. The judge decided compliance.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM AFFINITY

Live session: Why CTV is in its performance marketing era

Join this virtual event on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. ET to learn how CTV is evolving from an awareness-only screen into a powerful full-funnel marketing engine that drives measurable performance.

AI REVENUE GENERATION

Google rolls out pay-per-value AI licensing program to publishers

Google has been quietly scaling a pay-per-value AI licensing scheme for publishers. But critics say the program looks less like a meaningful payout and more like a legal fig leaf.

A MESSAGE FROM AUDACY

Why mid-sized podcasts are an untapped advertising opportunity

The biggest podcast audience isn't necessarily the most valuable one. According to a new report, tightly engaged, mid-sized shows can outperform celebrity podcasts, with advertisers on mid-sized podcasts seeing 22% lower CPA.

Download report

AI REVENUE GENERATION

Publishers are rebuilding their newsrooms for the post-Google era

Publishers like USA Today Co. and NYT are reshaping audience teams and creating new roles to prepare for an AI search future.

AI REVENUE GENERATION

Paywall violation ‘eviscerates’ fair use defense: What OpenAI-NYT twist means for publishers

For publishers, the newly unsealed material doesn't just bolster their legal case; it validates years of frustration over how their work has been treated. 

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM ARC XP

Publishers adopt new content strategies in the AI search era

Nearly nine out of 10 publishers (85%) are actively optimizing content for AI discovery or citation to combat the effects of zero-click search on referral traffic, according to a new Digiday and Arc XP survey.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM TRIPLELIFT

Live session: How brands like Tastemade grow revenue despite platform constraints

On Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. ET, join this webin