It was a great solution for its time, but the digital landscape has changed dramatically.

In 2026, publishers are no longer competing only with social media or aggregator sites. They are competing with AI systems capable of scraping, repackaging, and redistributing content at scale. And unfortunately, metered paywalls are uniquely vulnerable to this new reality.

Why Metered Paywalls Worked — Until They Didn’t

The metered model was built on a the assumption that users behave like individuals. A single reader typically uses just one browser, a small number of devices, a limited number of IP addresses, and cookies that track article views.

Metered paywalls track article counts via cookies and IP logging. When the limit is reached, access is restricted. For human readers, this works reasonably well, but for AI-driven scraping systems, it doesn’t offer the same kind of content protection.

How AI Exploits Metered Systems

Modern scraping systems do not operate like traditional bots from a single IP address. Instead, they use:

• Rotating IP address pools
• Distributed cloud infrastructure
• Headless browsers that mimic human behavior
• Cookie resets and session spoofing
• Residential proxy networks

In other words, an AI system can access your content as if it were thousands of different “first-time readers.” Every request looks legitimate, and every session appears new; so the Meter never ticks down.

This means that AI systems can summarize and redistribute your content, republishing it on aggregator sites, using it to train AI models, or even sharing it freely to individuals via AI chat tools.

The Solution: The Hard Paywall

Although our platform engineers are frequently blocking bots and AI crawlers, it is virtually impossible to block them all and eliminate any risk of AI stealing your content. The most effective way of preventing this is to implement the age old “hard paywall.”

A hard paywall removes the “preview” model entirely and forces a user to purchase a paid subscription in order to access any content. Under this model, automated scraping by AI becomes significantly more difficult and costly. While no system is invulnerable, hard paywalls dramatically raise the barrier.

Of course, this change is not about punishing or limiting readers, but rather about protecting journalism. Metered paywalls were designed in an era where the biggest threat was casual sharing. Today, the threat is automated content scraping at industrial scale.

If you’re currently using a Metered Paywall and have concerns about your content being scraped or stolen, you may want to consider switching to a Hard Paywall model. Our team can help you make this change at any time. Just email our support team at ops@our-hometown.com to get started!

The post The Metered Paywall Problem in the Age of AI first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Many newsrooms are overwhelmed by the constant flow of press releases from civic and government organizations. Manually creating new posts and copying content is time-consuming and inefficient.

We’ve developed a powerful solution to streamline this workflow, so your team can focus on what matters: reporting. Our new Press Release workflow integrates an email-to-post plugin with a custom AI agent to automate the process from start to finish.

How it Works

Simply forward press release emails to a dedicated email address—or set up an automated rule to do it for you. The plugin instantly pulls the email content and any attachments (like images or documents) and synthesizes them into a new Press Release post on your site.

You have complete control over the final post, with options to:

• Automatically assign an author and category
• Set a featured image
• Determine the post status (e.g., set as Draft for review or Published immediately)

This AI-powered system integrates with OpenAI’s chat models, and the prompt can be customized to your specific needs, handling formatting and content inclusion or exclusion. With a bit of tuning, you can generate a publish-ready post with dramatically less effort, eliminating the need for constant manual work.

Getting Started

To get started, your team will need to provide us with an OpenAI API key and a unique email address to handle the forwarded press releases. You can then simply start forwarding Press Release emails to the new address and let the plugin do the rest!

If you are interested in trying this out for yourself, please reach out to us at ops@our-hometown.com.

The post Struggling to manage a flood of press releases? first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Getting API keys from major AI service providers is essential for integrating their powerful models into your projects. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to obtain API keys from the most popular providers: OpenAI (ChatGPT) and Anthropic (the Claude series).

• OpenAI
• Anthrop\c

1. Go to the OpenAI developer website (platform.openai.com, not ChatGPT) and log in or create an account if you do not have one already.

2. Once logged in, click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select “Your profile.”

3. In the left menu click “API keys.”

4. Click the “Create new secret key” button.

1. Visit console.anthropic.com and log in or create an account.

2. Once logged in, from the Dashboard, click “Get API Keys” from the selections on screen.

3. Click the “Create Key” button.
4. Name your key and click “Add”
5. Copy the displayed API key immediately, as it won’t be visible again!

The post How to get API keys for AI services first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Led by Matt (President/CEO) and Christopher (Marketing/AI Development), with attendance from Scott of the Gaffney Ledger, the webinar showcased practical applications of AI in local journalism, particularly for covering school board and city council meetings. The tool aims to help publishers maintain comprehensive coverage of local government meetings despite resource constraints.

Purpose of AI Tool for Public Meetings – 00:00:21

Matt, CEO: Introduced the webinar’s purpose and explained how the tool helps publishers maintain coverage of public meetings they might not otherwise be able to attend. The focus is on creating efficient workflows for processing meeting videos and generating useful summaries.

Transcript

• Matt: “The whole point of this app and this process is to help publishers cover those meetings that maybe you used to cover but don’t cover anymore as much, or you can’t get to every meeting.”

YouTube Video Processing – 00:01:28

Christopher, AI Development: Detailed the technical aspects of processing YouTube videos, including transcript extraction and timestamp generation. The system currently focuses on YouTube channels but plans to expand to other video formats.

Tool Demonstration Process – 00:08:31

URL and Transcript Input – 00:08:56

Matt: Demonstrated the process of inputting YouTube URLs and meeting agendas into the system. The tool can process meeting transcripts even without an agenda, though having one improves accuracy.

Custom Topic Instructions – 00:10:05

Matt: Showed how users can customize the AI’s focus through specific topic instructions, allowing for more detailed coverage of particular meeting segments.

Timestamp Quality Control – 00:10:57

Christopher: Explained the importance of quality control in timestamp generation and how users can adjust timestamps for accuracy.

Summary Generation – 00:15:27

Generating Detailed Meeting Summary – 00:16:15

Matt: Demonstrated how the tool generates comprehensive summaries with speaker identification, quotes, and detailed topic breakdowns.

Custom Article Generation – 00:18:40

Matt: Showed how the system can generate focused articles on specific meeting topics, such as teacher recognition or policy changes.

Future Development and Potential – 00:21:19

Cross-Meeting Topic Connections – 00:21:37

Christopher: Discussed future capabilities for tracking topics across multiple meetings and generating comprehensive reports on ongoing issues.

Video Embedding Functionality – 00:26:30

Christopher: Explained upcoming features for embedding videos with synchronized timestamps on publisher websites, enhancing the user experience for readers accessing meeting coverage.

The post AI Tools to Summarize Public Meetings — LIVE Webinar Replay first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Breaking Down the Google-California News Deal

At its core, the agreement between Google and California news publishers represents a significant shift in how tech platforms and news organizations interact. Here’s what you need to know:

• Total Investment: $250 million over five years
• Google’s Contribution: $180 million ($110 million for journalism, $70 million for AI research)
• California State Contribution: $70 million

This deal effectively replaces the proposed California Journalism Preservation Act (AB 886), which would have required tech platforms to pay news outlets for content usage. Instead, this agreement aims to expedite compensation for publishers while avoiding potential legal battles.

The Purpose and Distribution of Funds

The primary goal of this deal is to support and revitalize journalism in California. Here’s how the funds are expected to be allocated:

• Journalism Initiatives ($180 million):
  • Boosting journalism jobs
  • Funding salaries
  • Supporting training programs
  • Providing resources for newsrooms
• AI Research Program ($70 million):
  • Developing tools for journalists to integrate AI into their work
  • Exploring AI applications for other professionals

According to the LA Times, “The money will go toward two new initiatives administered by UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism: a fund to distribute millions of dollars to California news outlets, and an ‘AI accelerator’ to develop ways for journalists to use the powerful technology.”

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Benefit from the Funding?

A crucial aspect of this deal is understanding which news organizations will be eligible for funding. While the exact criteria may still be subject to fine-tuning, several types of news outlets are expected to benefit:

Small and Medium-Sized News Organizations:

• Those producing original news for underrepresented communities
• Employing between 1-50 full-time journalists
• Focused on core news provision (not lifestyle or sports)
• Having a verifiable digital presence and in operation for at least 12 months

Local News Outlets:

• Those filling coverage gaps with original reporting
• Having a budget under $1 million
• Can be non-profit or for-profit entities
• Priority given to organizations serving underserved audiences, including:
  • Communities of color
  • Linguistically diverse communities
  • Low-wealth rural communities

U.S.-Based Nonprofit Institutions:

• Those with national reach and influence
• In some cases, regional and place-based organizations that are exemplars in their fields

It’s worth noting that while the Google-California deal has its own set of criteria, it shares similarities with other journalism funding initiatives, such as those by the MacArthur Foundation. These often include support for:

• National nonprofit journalism organizations pursuing explanatory, investigative, or international reporting
• Organizations working to protect press freedom and address safety/security challenges for journalists
• Organizations supporting infrastructure and innovation in nonprofit journalism
• National and regional organizations funding, producing, or disseminating nonfiction storytelling projects

Potential Impact on California’s Media Landscape

This deal has the potential to significantly impact California’s media ecosystem:

• Job Creation: The influx of funds could lead to the creation or preservation of numerous journalism jobs across the state.
• Local News Boost: With a focus on small to medium-sized organizations, local news coverage may see substantial improvements.
• Technological Advancements: The AI research component could lead to innovative tools that enhance journalistic capabilities.

However, the long-term effects remain to be seen. Will this investment truly revitalize local journalism, or will it merely provide temporary relief?

Criticisms and Concerns

Despite its potential benefits, the deal has faced criticism from various quarters:

• Insufficient Funding: Some argue that the amount is significantly less than what Google pays newsrooms in other countries, such as Canada.
• Strategic Maneuvering: Critics suggest this might be a tactical move by Google to avoid stricter regulations on content usage and compensation.
• AI Concerns: The inclusion of AI research funding has raised concerns about potentially facilitating the replacement of human journalists with technology in the future.

Looking Ahead: Implementation and Challenges

The agreement is set to take effect next year, beginning with a $100 million initial investment. However, several hurdles remain:

• Finalizing Details: The specifics of fund distribution and eligibility criteria are still being ironed out.
• Political Challenges: While Governor Gavin Newsom has pledged to incorporate the journalism funding into his January budget, potential concerns from other Democratic leaders could pose challenges.
• Long-term Sustainability: Questions remain about what happens after the five-year period ends. Will this lead to sustainable changes in the news ecosystem, or will publishers become dependent on this funding?

The Google-California news deal represents a significant shift in the relationship between tech platforms and news publishers. While it offers a substantial investment in journalism and potentially innovative AI tools, it also raises important questions about the future of news funding and the role of technology in journalism. As this deal unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor its impact on local newsrooms, job creation, and the overall quality of journalism in California. Ultimately, the success of this initiative will depend on its ability to create sustainable, positive changes in the media landscape that outlast the initial five-year investment period.

The post Google’s $250M California News Deal: Boosting Journalism or Sidestepping Regulation? first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Introduction

In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, the way we search for information has undergone significant changes. With Google leading the charge, their latest rollout of AI-powered search features, including AI Overviews (formerly known as Search Generative Experience), promises to revolutionize how we interact with search results. However, this innovation also poses a considerable threat to news publishers who rely on organic traffic for revenue and visibility.

The Impact of Google’s AI Overviews

Google’s introduction of AI Overviews has raised concerns among industry experts about its potential impact on publisher traffic, click-through rates, and overall revenue. As these features push organic search results down the page, it becomes increasingly difficult for publishers to maintain their visibility in search rankings.

According to a report by Press Gazette, AI Overviews have pushed first-page search results as far back as position five or lower on Google’s search engine. This dramatic shift could lead to significant traffic and revenue losses for news publishers who depend heavily on these organic clicks.

Furthermore, the widespread adoption of AI Overviews may result in users becoming less inclined to click through to publisher websites as they can now receive quick answers directly from Google’s summaries. This trend could have a severe impact on industries such as healthcare, e-commerce, and B2B technology, which are already feeling the effects of AI Overviews.

Concerns about Accuracy and Trust

Early iterations of AI Overviews faced criticism for inaccuracies and bias, raising concerns over their reliability as a source of information. While Google claims to be addressing these issues, there is still the potential for misinformation to spread through its summaries. This concern was highlighted by Press Gazette when they found that even newsy searches were returning AI-generated summaries, effectively positioning Google as a publisher in its own right.

The Evolution of Search Behavior

As users become more accustomed to AI-powered experiences, their engagement with traditional search results may decline. This shift could result from the convenience and efficiency offered by AI Overviews that provide quick answers without requiring extensive navigation or research.

Google’s Perspective on AI Overviews

Despite concerns raised by publishers, Google maintains that AI Overviews improve user experience and lead to “higher quality” clicks. They argue that users are more likely to stay on the recommended page because of better information retrieval and helpful web content. However, Google has yet to release data supporting this claim.

Industry Response

Publishers have expressed their concerns over the lack of transparency from Google regarding AI Overviews’ impact on publisher traffic and revenue. They are calling for more collaboration between industry stakeholders and Google to address these issues while recognizing the value of original content in a rapidly evolving search landscape.

Key Takeaways and Recommendations

To adapt and thrive amidst this AI-driven search environment, publishers must prioritize high-quality content, optimize for user intent, and explore new distribution channels to maintain their relevance. Industry experts like Jim Yu from BrightEdge emphasize the importance of managing one’s presence in search as more complex but ultimately rewarding work.

1. Publisher-Focused Content Optimization:
   • Develop a content strategy that focuses on user intent and relevance to improve visibility within organic search results. This includes creating high-quality, targeted content for specific keywords, topics, and demographics.
2. Diversify Distribution Channels:
   • Explore alternative distribution channels such as social media platforms, email newsletters, podcasts, or video content to reach a broader audience beyond traditional search results.
3. Monitor and Address Bias in AI Summaries:
   • Regularly monitor AI-generated summaries for accuracy, bias, and misinformation. Publishers should work with Google to address concerns and ensure that content provided by these overviews is factually correct and unbiased.
4. Advocate for Transparency and Fair Competition:
   • Join industry associations or coalitions to advocate for transparency in the AI Overview rollout, fair competition policies, and regulations that protect intellectual property rights and promote a diverse news ecosystem. This could involve lobbying efforts with policymakers, engaging in public discourse, and participating in industry-wide initiatives to address these issues.
5. Leverage Data Analytics:
   • Utilize data analytics tools to assess the impact of AI Overviews on publisher traffic and revenue. This information can help inform strategic decisions such as content optimization, distribution channel diversification, or collaborative efforts with Google.
6. Embrace Innovation in Content Formats:
   • Experiment with new content formats like interactive infographics, data visualizations, or immersive experiences to enhance user engagement and differentiate from AI-generated summaries. This can help publishers provide unique value propositions that cater to users’ evolving preferences in the digital landscape.
7. Foster Partnerships with Other Publishers:
   • Collaborate with other news organizations, both within and outside of your industry, to share resources, knowledge, and best practices for adapting to AI-driven search changes. This can help publishers collectively address challenges while promoting a diverse and sustainable news ecosystem.

Conclusion

While AI-powered search features like Google’s AI Overviews hold the promise of enhancing user experience by providing quick answers to their queries, they also pose significant challenges for news publishers who rely on organic traffic and revenue from these searches. As we navigate this evolving landscape, it is essential that both industry stakeholders and Google work together to ensure a fair balance between innovation and the preservation of quality content in our digital world.

The post Google’s AI Overviews: Revolutionizing Search or Threatening News Publishers? first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Almost daily, I hear from longtime readers of my column who write to tell me they’ve recently benefited from something I wrote months or years ago. I suppose it’s why I keep writing these columns after all these years.

Just this morning, I heard from a publisher who wrote that he had begun using an application I wrote about three years ago and was finding it very helpful. Another wrote yesterday to tell me she had followed my advice about holding a focus group made up of community members, some newspaper readers, and some non-readers. She wanted me to know that it was incredibly beneficial to her paper, and they had made several changes based on the results of the focus group.

Recently, I’ve heard from a lot of folks asking for advice related to artificial intelligence. Press association directors have written to ask if I would lead a convention session or webinar on the topic (yes, I plan to offer a webinar on AI soon). I even responded to a request from an industry journal in Australia and Southeast Asia to get my thoughts concerning a photo that had run in a major publication there using AI. Every time I read a story from that part of the world, I’m convinced they have a knack for writing great headlines. The headline for that story was “Tummy tat a croptop giveaway, and Slimp says, ‘Never in news.’”

I realize the use of AI is a fact of life in today’s world. However, the use of artificial intelligence requires much the same scrutiny as was given to photo editing when applications like Photoshop and Photostyle became available almost 40 years ago. 

In the early days of Photoshop, it was almost scary for me to face a crowd of veteran photographers. Even the use of tools we take for granted today, like adjusting levels or sharpening an image, was met with much deliberation among audiences. Longtime photographers, especially from major dailies, often protested that nothing could be adjusted in a photo. If that became the industry standard, my Photoshop classes wouldn’t have lasted very long.
In the same way, we need to be very careful about the way we use AI. It would be simplistic to say that we not use it all. Much of the software we are already using had built-in AI features. However, I am suggesting that we give the use of AI even more scrutiny than we did Photoshop a few decades ago. I agree with writer Kelly McBride that every newspaper needs an ethics policy related to the use of artificial intelligence (poynter.org, March 25, 2024). Kelly’s column includes a starter kit to give newspapers a starting point for addressing the use of AI.

Looking back at the early days of Photoshop, I would emphasize that the use of Photoshop shouldn’t be to improve or alter an image. Instead, the goal was to make the image printed on the page appear as close to the original photo as possible. Knowing that dot gain, ink limits, quality of paper stock, and other variables affected the printed image, photo editing applications offered tools to offset distortions that would otherwise appear on the printed page.

Much has been written about the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. In our industry, it’s even more crucial that we give the use of AI serious thought before diving in too deep. It would be easy to ignore the issue altogether. That would be naive. On the other hand, it’s easy – especially for those of us who have a bit of “tech nerd” built into our DNA – to get overly excited about the use of AI. Let me caution against both extremes.

We will be using AI in our work. You probably already are. However, be very careful when and how AI is used.

I was invited to speak at a local civic club in Knoxville a couple of weeks ago. They asked me to speak on the topic of artificial intelligence. I learned the audience was larger than usual and noticed that some of the folks brought pads and pens to write notes. Many were business owners, and they obviously had a lot of interest in the topic.

Before I spoke my first word, a hand went up. “Is AI going to put us all out of business?” a man in the third row asked. 

I spoke to the group for about 30 minutes and spoke of the limitations and dangers of AI. I’m relatively sure everyone felt, by the time I finished, that their worlds wouldn’t be crashing in anytime soon from the use of artificial intelligence.

This week, I’m part of an international conference made up of more than 1,000 participants in Charlotte, North Carolina. As attendees come by to meet me, they often tell me they’re from “a little town you’ve never heard of.” In most cases, I’m pleased to tell them, “I’ve visited your town while working with the newspaper.” So far, every person has gone on to tell me how much they loved the community newspaper in their town.
Sometimes we forget how much people love and appreciate us. And sometimes we forget how important – and serious – our work is. Thank you for making a difference.

The post Artificial Intelligence: Make a Plan Before Jumping In Too Deep first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Seamless Podcast Management

With the Buzzsprout iOS app, managing your audio content becomes as mobile as your readers. Update your podcast episodes, check statistics, and even fix typos on the fly. It’s the perfect companion for the busy publisher who values efficiency and mobility.

Real-Time Engagement

Keep your finger on the pulse of your audience’s engagement. The app provides real-time notifications for new milestones, episode publications, and listener interactions. This means you can celebrate every success and stay connected with your audience, wherever you are.

Data-Driven Decisions

Access to comprehensive statistics allows you to make informed decisions about your content. Understand your listeners’ preferences and tailor your audio articles to meet their interests, enhancing both their experience and your reach.

Accessibility and Convenience

The Buzzsprout iOS app aligns with the convenience and accessibility of Our-Hometown’s Audio Articles. Just as your readers can listen to articles with a simple touch, you can manage your audio content with equal ease.

Get Started

We recommend the Buzzsprout iOS app to all Our-Hometown publishers who are using our Audio Articles feature. 

Download it from the Apple App Store and log in with your Buzzsprout account to start managing your audio articles today.

We’re excited to see how the Buzzsprout iOS app will support your journey with Our-Hometown’s Audio Articles. Together, let’s continue to innovate and provide exceptional news experiences to your readers.

If you are not using Audio Articles on your website, reach out to us at ops@our-hometown.com to learn more!

The post Buzzsprout’s New iOS App: A Perfect Partner for Your Audio Articles first appeared on Our-Hometown.

The Microsoft Ignite 2023 conference showcased several AI-driven innovations, with implications for various industries, including digital publishing. Here’s an objective overview of the developments that might interest newspaper publishers:

AI-Enhanced Productivity: Insights on Copilot for Microsoft 365

Microsoft’s Copilot for Microsoft 365 represents a significant leap in AI-driven productivity tools. User feedback indicates a 29% increase in task efficiency, with 70% reporting enhanced productivity. Notably, 68% of users found an improvement in work quality, and a similar percentage said Copilot aided in initiating the creative process. For publishers, this could mean faster content generation and improved editorial quality.

Key statistics from Copilot usage:

• 64% of users spend less time processing emails.
• 87% find it easier to start a first draft.
• 75% report time savings in file searches.
• 77% don’t want to work without Copilot once they’ve used it.

Microsoft Copilot: Expansion Across the Ecosystem

Microsoft has broadened the scope of Copilot, integrating it across various applications to streamline business processes for different roles. This integration aims to enhance collaborative functions, meeting preparations, and real-time assistance in applications like Microsoft Teams.

• Integration across Microsoft 365 solutions for enhanced collaboration.
• Copilot Studio: A low-code tool for customizing AI capabilities, designed to integrate with business-critical data and workflows.
• Copilot for Service: Assisting businesses in customer service by offering AI-driven insights.
• Dynamics 365 Guides: Combining AI with mixed reality to aid frontline workers through interactive guidance.
• Copilot for Azure: An AI companion for IT administration, streamlining tasks across cloud and edge.

Ethical AI Deployment: Microsoft’s Commitment

Microsoft has emphasized the responsible deployment of AI. With the expansion of the Copilot Copyright Commitment to Azure OpenAI Service, Microsoft underscores its dedication to ethical AI usage. The introduction of Azure AI Content Safety also reflects a focus on mitigating harmful content in AI-generated outputs.

• Expansion of the Copilot Copyright Commitment to Azure OpenAI Service users.
• Azure AI Content Safety for detecting and mitigating harmful content.
• Documentation and guidelines for customers to ensure compliance and safe usage of AI tools.

AI Integration in Windows Platforms

Windows 11 and Windows 365 have been updated to include new AI and productivity tools, indicating a shift towards more AI-integrated functionalities. These updates are expected to bring enhancements that could benefit various operational aspects of digital publishing.

The Impact of AI on Digital Publishing

The advancements presented at Microsoft Ignite 2023 highlight a growing trend of AI integration in various business tools and platforms. For newspaper publishers, these developments offer potential for increased productivity and operational efficiency, alongside considerations for ethical AI use and content safety.

The post Microsoft Ignite 2023: Key AI Developments for Publishers first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Image Slideshow

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