Business & Finance
The Atlantic sees minimal web traffic from OpenAI deal
Business Insider reports that the magazine's partnership with OpenAI has failed to drive meaningful referral traffic.
The short version
- The Atlantic's 2024 partnership with OpenAI has not delivered meaningful referral traffic to the magazine's website, according to CEO Nicholas Thompson.[Business Insider]
- Thompson noted that AI tools generate very low click-through rates for publishers across the industry, even as the publication remains profitable with 1.6 million subscribers.[Business Insider]
- Despite declining industry expectations for AI referrals, Thompson indicated that subscriber acquisitions originating from Google search traffic have actually risen.[Business Insider]
Key facts
- Nicholas Thompson negotiated a partnership between The Atlantic and OpenAI in 2024.[Business Insider]
- Thompson stated that the OpenAI agreement has failed to deliver anticipated referral traffic to the magazine's website.[Business Insider]
- Thompson reported that AI chatbots broadly generate very poor click-through rates across the publishing sector.[Business Insider]
- The Atlantic is currently profitable, possesses 1.6 million subscribers, and records revenue well above $100 million.[Business Insider]
- Thompson observed that subscriber conversions driven by Google search traffic have increased.[Business Insider]
What remains uncertain
- The long-term volume and viability of reader referrals from conversational AI platforms across the publishing industry remain unestablished.[Business Insider]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- The Atlantic fixed its business. Then AI came for media.Business Insider metered