Gannett and Perplexity Forge Strategic AI Content Licensing Partnership
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) has announced a landmark agreement with Perplexity, the innovative AI-powered answer engine, to license content from USA TODAY and the expansive USA TODAY Network of over 200 local publications nationwide. Under this strategic partnership, Gannett joins the Perplexity Publisher Program as one of the largest U.S.-based media organizations to collaborate with Perplexity. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the integration of AI technology into the media landscape, enabling Gannett’s premium content to reach a broader audience while ensuring proper attribution and fair compensation.
As part of the agreement, Gannett’s esteemed content and trusted journalism from USA TODAY and its network of local publications will be seamlessly integrated into Perplexity’s AI-powered search experiences. This includes Perplexity’s newly released agentic web browser, Comet, which is currently available to Perplexity Max and select Perplexity Pro subscribers. Comet represents a groundbreaking innovation in web browsing, embedding Perplexity’s advanced AI search engine directly into the user experience. Starting in September, Comet is expected to expand its availability to a wider audience, further enhancing accessibility and utility for users.
“The USA TODAY Network is at the forefront of delivering innovation that drives audience engagement,” said Michael Reed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gannett. “As AI technology becomes increasingly embedded in the information ecosystem, we are committed to ensuring that our content is appropriately credited and that we receive fair compensation. This strategic alliance with Perplexity exemplifies our leadership in embracing transformative technology while maintaining responsible stewardship. By aligning innovation and ethics, we aim to set a benchmark for how quality content and trusted journalism should be valued. This partnership enables us to accelerate AI-driven opportunities, sharing advertising revenue and leveraging data to deliver value to our shareholders while providing credible content to Perplexity platform users.”
Perplexity’s commitment to elevating the information landscape aligns closely with Gannett’s mission to provide trustworthy, authoritative journalism. “Gannett’s dedication to credible, authoritative reporting makes them an ideal partner as we strive to reshape the digital media landscape,” said Aravind Srinivas, Co-Founder and CEO of Perplexity. “We firmly believe that AI has the potential to elevate the caliber of journalism that Gannett’s reputation is built upon. As AI transforms a digital environment originally optimized for a different era, our priority is to collaborate with the world’s premier publishers to ensure they benefit from the new business models we co-create.”
Beyond content licensing, Gannett will gain access to Perplexity’s cutting-edge technology, including Perplexity’s Sonar API and Perplexity Enterprise Pro, for use across all employee functions. This integration positions Gannett to leverage AI tools to enhance internal operations, streamline workflows, and drive efficiencies.
The financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, underscoring the strategic nature of the partnership. However, the collaboration signals a transformative shift in how traditional media organizations are engaging with emerging AI technologies. By partnering with Perplexity, Gannett not only expands its reach but also establishes a precedent for sustainable monetization of high-quality journalism in the age of artificial intelligence.
This agreement underscores Gannett’s leadership in adapting to the rapidly evolving digital landscape. As the largest local-to-national publishing and digital media organization in the U.S., Gannett is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the intersection of AI and journalism. By integrating its vast network of trusted content into Perplexity’s platform, Gannett ensures that its stories and insights reach a global audience while reinforcing its commitment to journalistic integrity.
For Perplexity, the partnership with Gannett represents a pivotal moment in its mission to elevate the credibility and reliability of online information. By collaborating with established media giants like Gannett, Perplexity strengthens its position as a trusted provider of AI-driven search experiences. The integration of Gannett’s content into Perplexity’s products enhances the platform’s ability to deliver accurate, relevant, and insightful answers to users’ questions.
ABOUT GANNETT
Gannett Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions.
ABOUT PERPLEXITY
Perplexity is an AI-powered answer engine that draws from credible sources in real time to accurately answer questions with in-line citations, perform deep research, and more. Founded in 2022, the company’s mission is to serve the world’s curiosity by bridging the gap between traditional search engines and AI-driven interfaces. Each week, Perplexity answers more than 150 million questions globally. Perplexity is available in the app store and online at https://www.perplexity.com.
