In response to a Google-Kantar study showing a gap in news options for Indian language audiences, we joined forces with Google last year to launch the Google News Initiative Indian Languages Program. This program empowers news publishers to cater to this under-served population. The study identified a preference for shorter news formats and a lack of personalized content among these consumers.
To bridge this gap, the GNI Indian Languages Program 1.0 successfully transformed the online presence of over 300 news publishers across 9 Indian languages. The program focused on modernizing their web, app, and video formats, resulting in a significantly improved user experience.
Find out more from the participating news publishers - Assam Tribune, Gujarat Samachar, The Mooknayak and News7 Tamil as they share their journey.
Impact Overview of GNI ILP 1.0:
- 56% Surge in Digital Ad Revenue: Empowering news publishers to sustain their vital work.
- 53% Increase in Total Page Views: Demonstrating expanded reach and engagement.
- 30% Growth in Active Users: Indicating a loyal and growing audience.
- 91% Improvement in Page Speed Insights: Leading to a better user experience.
- 100% of News Publishers Now Using Analytics: Enabling data-driven decision-making.
Encouraged by this positive feedback, we are excited to announce the second edition of the GNI Indian Languages Program!
ILP 2.0: Focus on Next-Gen Tools
This year, we’re once again partnering with Google to deliver ILP 2.0, with a focus on next-generation tools for newsrooms producing content in Indic languages. Here’s what to expect:
- Tailored Roadmaps: Personalized plans addressing site performance, content formats, native apps, GA4 migration, and ad optimization.
- Audience Building and Analysis: Real-time audience insights with News Consumer Insights (NCI) and Real-Time Content Insights (RCI) dashboards.
- Pinpoint for Journalists: A research tool leveraging Google’s search and AI technology to explore vast document collections.
- Preparing for Third-Party Cookie Deprecation: Strategies to mitigate the impact on website functionality and advertising.
- GenAI Tools for Growth: Enhancing content discoverability with Google Cloud’s automatic categorization and tagging (exclusive to Google Cloud customers).
Program Format & How to Apply
ILP 2.0 will be delivered in nine languages: English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Gujarati, and Marathi. The structured format includes:
- Scaled Inspiration Series + Virtual Workshops: Eight sessions featuring guest speakers, success stories, and product-focused training.
- 1:1 Diagnosis & Workshop: Personalized assessment and guidance for all selected news publishers.
- Implementation: Dedicated consultations and technical support for a subset of news publishers.
The application window is open from June 5th to June 1tth, 2024.
