The Digiday Podcast The top AI platforms for publishers, ranked
10 snips
Jan 20, 2026 Jessica Davis, a senior media editor at Digiday, and Sara Guaglione, a senior media reporter, dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI platforms and publishers. They discuss their scorecard ranking major AI companies like Microsoft and OpenAI, revealing how publishers feel about compensation models amidst ongoing uncertainties. The duo highlights critical contract terms, the meaningfulness of licensing payments, and why platforms like Anthropic are lagging. With insights into Google’s cautious approach and Amazon’s targeted deals, they provide a compelling look at the AI landscape for publishers.
AI Snips
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Episode notes
2025 Was A Licensing Turning Point
- 2025 felt like an inflection point because many big tech companies finally engaged publishers on licensing rather than claiming fair use.
- That opened variety in deal structures beyond early lump-sum training agreements.
Big Vs. Small Publisher Divide
- Publisher experiences diverge: big outlets see opportunity while smaller ones feel left behind.
- Mid- and small-size publishers struggle to get responses or access from AI companies.
Set Non-Negotiables In Deals
- Publishers now enter deals with clear non-negotiables like attribution and minimum quoting terms.
- Walk away when AI companies refuse essential terms or offer inadequate compensation.