Press Gazette Analysis: Top 50 English-Language News Websites Face Traffic Challenges in 2026
June 11, 2026 — Recent data from Similarweb reveals significant shifts in the global landscape of English-language news websites. Press Gazette’s monthly analysis of the 50 most popular sites highlights a notable trend: a majority of leading news brands are experiencing substantial year-on-year declines in web traffic, with Indian news websites particularly hard hit during May 2026. —
Sharp Traffic Declines for Indian News Brands in May 2026
According to the latest figures, over 20% of the top 50 English-language news websites globally saw traffic drops exceeding 20% year on year in May. Of the five worst-hit outlets, four are based in India, underscoring a pronounced contraction in audience numbers within this market.
- India.com topped the list of traffic declines, plunging by 78% to 56.2 million visits.
- The Hindustan Times followed with a 54% drop, drawing 138.7 million visits.
- Buzzfeed also faced a 46% decrease to 60.5 million visits.
- Other major Indian brands like Indian Express and India Today witnessed declines of 40% and 34%, recording 103.2 million and 71.2 million visits respectively.
In total, 36 out of 50 sites experienced traffic shrinkage by at least 10% compared to May of the previous year, marking a challenging period for news publishers worldwide.
Growth Outliers: Al Jazeera, Substack, and The Sun US
Despite the widespread declines, a handful of news outlets recorded impressive growth, signaling shifts in audience preferences and news interests.
- Al Jazeera sustained its upward momentum, attracting 210.8 million visits in May—a 69% increase year on year. The Qatar-based news organization has benefited from heightened global interest in Middle East affairs, particularly following geopolitical developments earlier in the year.
- The newsletter platform Substack also saw strong gains, with visits rising by 49% to 169.1 million, continuing a multi-month growth streak.
- The Sun US, a relatively recent entrant established in 2020, posted a 34% increase to 30.4 million visits year on year and led month-on-month growth with a 43% increase.
Meanwhile, The Sun UK registered a 7% year-on-year decline to 54.6 million visits, though month-on-month figures showed a 6% uptick. It is important to note that Similarweb treats The Sun’s US and UK sites separately in its reporting.
Additional month-on-month growth leaders for May included The Hindu (+20% to 68.1 million visits) and the Daily Express (+16% to 41.8 million visits), highlighting select regional successes.
Methodology Update and Wider Trends
Similarweb recently refined its methodology for calculating the global audience of the BBC Online, accounting for user redirections between the bbc.co.uk and bbc.com domains based on geographic location, ensuring a more accurate measurement of traffic.
Looking back over the first half of 2026, data shows a fluctuating pattern:
- April 2026 saw 47 of the top 50 sites report month-on-month declines. Despite this, Al Jazeera maintained strong year-on-year gains (up 257%) following its visibility surge after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February.
- In March 2026, Al Jazeera’s traffic skyrocketed nearly 400% year on year, reaching 210.8 million visits. At the same time, sites like Substack and Indian-based NDTV also posted significant increases.
- February and January 2026 data reflected similar themes with Al Jazeera frequently leading growth metrics and Indian sites consistently experiencing steep traffic declines. February’s data additionally noted major workforce reductions at The Washington Post, affecting over 300 journalists and potentially influencing its traffic.
Conclusion: Challenges and Opportunities in the Digital News Ecosystem
The latest figures underscore ongoing challenges for many English-language news websites, particularly Indian outlets contending with dramatic decreases in online engagement. Conversely, the rise of platforms like Al Jazeera and Substack, alongside fast-growing sites such as The Sun US, reflects evolving audience interests and consumption habits amidst a dynamic geopolitical backdrop.
As the digital news market continues to shift rapidly, these insights from Similarweb and Press Gazette highlight the imperative for publishers to innovate and adapt their strategies to maintain relevance and grow their user bases in an increasingly competitive environment.
For detailed monthly rankings and analyses, visit Press Gazette’s dedicated section on digital journalism and audience data.