Google launches emergency relief fund to help small businesses battle COVID-19 effects
Due to steep declines in advertising revenues and businesses shutting down as a whole as a result of the worsening economic effects of the pandemic, Google has launched a ‘Journalism Emergency Relief Fund’ as part of its Google News Initiative. “The Fund’s aim is to support the production of original journalism for local communities in […]
Google to allocate $6.5 million to combat misinformation
Google has announced that it will be extending financial support worth $6.5 million to fact-checkers and non-profit organizations fighting with misinformation globally with the core focus being the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, reports The Statesman. The tech giant added that the funding is part of the Google News Initiative program which is also providing an online […]
Vox Media and Google partner to launch local advertising network
Vox Media, parent company to The Verge, SB Nation and more is partnering with Google to create a local advertising network called “Concert Local,” reports Axios. The Google News Initiative program will be funding the new venture and it is one of the largest single-publisher investments that Google is making of this kind. Whereas, Vox […]
Google to launch new audio news service
Google will partner with various media outlets to launch an audio news service for Assistant, the company announced Tuesday. The new audio launch, Your News Update, will offer customized news feed with content from CBS, Fox News, CNN and other media partners including The Washington Post, Axios, Cheddar, and the NBA. The new service is now […]
Google has updated its algorithms to support original content
In section 5.1 of their recent update, Google announced that they will now be focused on rewarding unique and original content. Their new algorithm will no longer boost repetitive or latest content, but, instead, focus will be directed towards quality-specific content. Although producing original content takes time and effort, there is no need to worry. […]
Google to finance Wick Communications social media initiative
Google will be providing funding for Wick Communications’ innovative initiative to create a journalist-curated, hyperlocal social media platform to develop critical community connections, announced the tech giant on Friday, according to reports. The news was part of Google’s larger announcement of recipients of its inaugural North America Google News Initiative Challenge funding to support projects […]
Is Google News Initiative a media takeover?
Politico Europe’s Playbook claims to be “the most reliable political newsletter in Brussels.” It is a morning must-read for journalists, policymakers, and political junkies. However, in 2015, the Playbook and its readers noticed a small change — the newsletter was now sponsored by Google. Exactly at that moment, Google was under investigation by the European […]
Editors given new roles in light of Google-funded project
Alan McCabe, editor-in-chief of Aberdeen daily the Press & Journal, and Richard Prest, editor of the Sunday Post, are taking up long-term secondments with a team being set up to “manage the transformation of the business to extend subscription and reader revenues.” The move comes as part of Google News Initiative-funded Table Stakes Europe project, […]
Google funding to news organizations may be influenced by pressure
Google and the foundations run by its leaders have given millions of dollars to journalists and news organizations around the world sponsoring different events including local news in the US. However, according to a news report written by researchers at the Campaign for Accountability’s Google Transparency Project, Google has given these grants in places where […]
Google considering acquiring TikTok-like competitor Firework
Google is reportedly considering an acquisition of “Firework,” an app similar to TikTok, as per the Wall Street Journal. Firework is a US-based start-up that allows users to make and share 30-second videos with strangers. The company was valued at over $100 million earlier in 2019. This acquisition would launch Google back into the social […]
