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.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) recently announced it will end its print edition on December 31, 2025, becoming a fully digital publication starting in 2026. That’s a major milestone for Georgia media — but it raises an important question: what does this mean for legal notices and the AJC’s status as a “legal organ”?

Georgia’s Public Notice Rules

Under Georgia Code § 9-13-142, each county must designate a legal organ — the official newspaper that publishes required public notices like foreclosures, tax sales, and probate filings.

To qualify, a paper must:

• Be a printed product, multiple pages in length.
• Publish weekly for at least two years.
• Maintain paid circulation (not free distribution).
• Keep its advertising content under 75% of most issues.

If a paper stops printing, it no longer qualifies. That’s exactly what Fulton County decided in 2023, when its prior legal organ lost standing after going digital-only.

What This Means for the AJC

When the AJC goes digital-only in 2026, it will no longer meet the statutory definition of a legal organ. That means:

• The AJC cannot continue publishing official public notices under current law.
• Counties currently using the AJC will need to designate a new legal organ that still meets print requirements.
• Governments, law firms, and businesses will have to shift their notices elsewhere.

Could the Law Change?

There have been rumblings about modernizing Georgia’s law to allow digital-only newspapers to qualify. Bills in recent years have tweaked fees and circulation standards, but no change has been made yet to allow online-only publications to serve as legal organs.

Unless legislators act, Georgia will remain a print-first state, even as major papers like the AJC move digital.

Bottom Line

The AJC’s move to digital-only is historic, but under current Georgia law it means the paper will lose its ability to run legal notices. For now, public notices in Georgia remain tied to print newspapers — a reminder that while journalism is going digital, the law hasn’t quite caught up.

The post What Happens to Public Notices When the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Goes Digital-Only? first appeared on Our-Hometown.

This webinar, hosted by Matt Larson, President and CEO of Our-Hometown Web Publishing, with Betsy Edwards, Executive Director of the Virginia Press Association (VPA), detailed the VPA’s successful Digital Initiative. The initiative aims to bring all Virginia newspapers online with their own websites, driven by the critical need for digital presence for business, public notice compliance, and long-term sustainability. The discussion covered the program’s origins, its three-year financial support model, impressive growth metrics from six initial papers, and the broader implications for the future of local news, including legislative pressures around public notices and the potential for grant funding. Our-Hometown’s full-service platform and partnership model were highlighted as key to the initiative’s success, offering a replicable model for other press associations.

If you are a publisher or representative of a press association and would like more information, please reach out to us at ops@our-hometown.com

The post Our-Hometown & VPA Digital Initiative: A Model for Newspaper Sustainability — Webinar Replay first appeared on Our-Hometown.

One of the most powerful aspects of the Block Editor is the ability to use multiple different types of blocks together to create a more dynamic final product without the need to learn how to code or design pages in photoshop. All of the tools you need are available right in the Block Editor!

Follow along as our host walks the audience through various different ways to format and present text in the Block Editor, as well as how to combine these elements effectively to create more compelling page layouts using Grids, Groups and other container blocks.

As always, this webinar is available to Our-Hometown customers at no cost! Just fill out the form below to register and keep an eye on your email for a link to join the webinar on the morning of June 13th!

The post Block Editor Overview: More Text, Plus Grids and Groups on June 13th, 11AM EST first appeared on Our-Hometown.

One of the most powerful aspects of the Block Editor is the ability to use multiple different types of blocks together to create a more dynamic final product without the need to learn how to code or design pages in photoshop. All of the tools you need are available right in the Block Editor!

Follow along as our host walks the audience through various different ways to format and present text in the Block Editor, as well as how to combine these elements effectively to create more compelling page layouts. Headings, Paragraphs, Buttons, Tables, Drop Caps — you name it, we’ve got you covered!

As always, this webinar is available to Our-Hometown customers at no cost! Just fill out the form below to register and keep an eye on your email for a link to join the webinar on the morning of May 16th!

The post Block Editor Overview: Creative Text Layouts on May 16th, 11AM EST first appeared on Our-Hometown.

The Block Editor makes adding media to your post, page or article easier than ever — whether that is a simple photo, a complete photo gallery, or more advanced Cover Image style block that you can add text on top of.

The Block Editor‘s formatting options allow for complete customization for every image or piece of media you add, including ratios, scaling, background colors, text colors and more!

There is a lot to cover on the topic; so we’d love for you to join us for this Friday’s LIVE WEBINAR. There is no cost to attend! Just fill out the brief form below to register.

The post Block Editor Overview: Media and Images on May 2nd, 11AM EST first appeared on Our-Hometown.

Block Patterns are a pre-arranged set of Blocks saved as a template that you can quickly re-use with the click of a button rather than creating each block individually. Not only can this feature save you a ton of time when creating Articles or Pages, it can also help you to ensure a consistent appearance across all of your content using the same pattern, and opens the door to using more complex and advance patterns made by other designers in the WordPress community.

There is a lot to cover on the topic; so we’d love for you to join us for tomorrow’s LIVE WEBINAR. There is no cost to attend! Just fill out the brief form below to register.

The post Block Editor Overview Part 3: Patterns on April 18th, 11AM EST 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.

It has already been a busy summer, and I’m not sure summer has officially begun yet (It’s June 1 as I write this). Upon returning from my latest trip – to Pennsylvania – yesterday, I was greeted by a stack of packages from publishers – most containing newspapers to critique – and an email folder with plenty of messages from editors, designers, and publishers. To keep all the newspapers I receive from getting wet, I purchased a waterproof container about the size of a pirate’s treasure chest, which I placed on the porch by my front door. The mail deliverers and UPS drivers have become well acquainted with my box.

What’s on the mind of newspaper folks these days? The answer is “a lot.” Whoever first coined the phrase “newspapers are dead” in the early 2000s apparently never had to go through my email or my box.

Growing Readership

The most common question I receive is, “What can I do to get more readers?” That hasn’t changed in the 30 years I’ve been working with newspapers. We always seem to be looking for a magic potion to make more people want to read our products. I’ve addressed that question many times in these columns, often with a list of ways to grow papers, but most often, the answer comes down to improving the quality of the newspaper.
Quality is a funny thing. It encompasses more than the “look” of a newspaper. It includes writing high-caliber stories that meet the reading desires of potential readers. Quality entails research, such as focus groups, to understand what readers want – and don’t want – in their newspaper. And obviously, the importance of design can’t be overestimated.

Improving the Product

The packages in my front porch box usually contain newspapers to be critiqued. Upgrading the content and design of your newspaper should be at the forefront of growing your paper. That doesn’t mean you have to send your paper to me. This means that your paper should develop a method of critiquing every element of content regularly. But couldn’t I just look at these pages on the screen? Sure, but seriously evaluating a newspaper requires taking notes on the pages. After I critique a page, it generally looks like someone has bled all over it.

Increasing Ad Revenue

Increasing revenue is on everyone’s mind. I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t. I lead a lot of webinars on various topics. There was a time when photo editing or page design classes would be the most popular. These days, sessions related to increasing revenue draw the biggest crowds. I’ve written my share of columns on increasing revenue, but the best way I know of to increase ad sales is to go out and visit more potential advertisers physically. It sounds simplistic, but those of you who have been around the block a few times know it’s true. Don’t worry. If you happen to be signed up for one of my future webinars on increasing ad revenue, I’ll have more to share than “just get out more.” However, if you want to sell more ads, just get out more. It works.

Next up for me? North Carolina, Virginia, then over to see my friends at Arkansas Press Association. When I return home, I imagine the box next to my door will be full.

The post Kevin Slimp: What you want to know first appeared on Our-Hometown.