The Independent vs The Verge

Trump told Americans to ‘pretend I’m on the ballot.’ They did — and voted against him

The Independent's homepage has been updated to reflect the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections, with a new lead story on Trump's defeat and multiple new articles covering the Democratic sweep, including analysis of Trump's loss, reactions from MAGA influencers, and speculation on the 2028 Democratic nominee.

MAGA influencers start crashing out online over Dem midterm sweep

The Independent's news page has been updated with the latest US midterm election results, including Democrats winning control of the Senate and House, and Trump's reaction to the losses.

Intent IQ Boosts The Independent's Revenue Nearly 30%

Intent IQ, a leader in identity resolution, announced results from its partnership with The Independent, a leading international digital news publisher. Using Intent IQ's Bid Enhancement solution, The Independent increased revenue by nearly 30%, CPMs by [unspecified] across ID-less inventory. This collaboration demonstrates the effectiveness of cookieless identity solutions in improving publisher monetization. The partnership highlights the growing importance of alternative identity solutions in a privacy-first advertising landscape. The results were announced on October 29, 2026.

• Intent IQ's Bid Enhancement solution helped The Independent increase revenue by nearly 30%.
• The partnership focuses on ID-less inventory, demonstrating the effectiveness of cookieless identity solutions.
• The announcement was made on October 29, 2026.

Publishers Pivot to Subscriptions, AI Visibility After Google Traffic Loss

Publishers are redefining their strategies as Google traffic declines, moving towards subscription offerings, AI visibility products, and internal team reorganizations. Axios introduced a subscriber-first AI integration allowing subscribers to query content via chatbots. The Verge reorganized audience teams around specialists in newsletters, platform engagement, and analytics. Politico combined product, audience, and AI roles under one leader, while The Wall Street Journal added new roles like head of multimedia and head of shows. Time began serving ads to AI agents, though Perplexity blocked those ads from influencing its search index. Future is offering GEO services, and Ziff Davis is providing AI visibility services. These moves reflect a broader industry shift to adapt to a post-Google search era.

• Axios introduced a subscriber-first AI integration allowing subscribers to query content via chatbots.
• The Verge reorganized audience teams around newsletter, platform engagement, and audience analytics specialists.
• Politico's Francesca Barber took on a combined role overseeing product, audience, and AI.

The Verge restructures audience team for post-search era

The Verge, a Vox Media-owned tech publisher, has reorganized its audience development team to prioritize loyal readers over traffic and page views. The team now consists of specialists in newsletters, platform engagement, and audience analytics, replacing generalist roles. The shift is a response to declining search traffic and the rise of AI, with a focus on direct relationships through newsletters, memberships, and subscriptions. The Verge has seen success, with over half of its subscriber acquisitions coming from direct visits to its subscription page. The publisher is also experimenting with paid media and performance marketing, but cautiously, and continues to use organic social marketing and pitching to larger outlets.

• The Verge has reorganized its audience team into specialists for newsletters, platform engagement, and analytics.
• The reorganization is in response to declining search traffic and the rise of AI.
• Over half of The Verge's subscriber acquisitions come from direct visits to its subscription page.

Windows 11 Search Upgrade, Copilot Gets File Access

Microsoft announced two upcoming updates for Windows 11: an enhanced search feature and expanded Copilot capabilities. The new search allows users to directly adjust settings like dark mode, take screenshots, and change volume from the search bar, with future ability to compose and send messages. Copilot's 'Hybrid Intelligence' feature, introduced at a Microsoft event, enables the AI to access local files and perform actions across the OS, such as finding, renaming, zipping documents, and attaching them to emails. Jacob Andreou, EVP of Copilot, demonstrated this in a tax return example. The rollout will be gradual, requiring user permission for file access. The search upgrade is expected later this year, with no exact date specified.

• Microsoft announced an enhanced Windows 11 search feature that allows direct adjustments like dark mode, screenshots, and volume control from the search bar, with future messaging capabilities.
• Microsoft introduced 'Hybrid Intelligence' for Copilot, enabling access to local files and OS-wide actions, demonstrated by finding, renaming, zipping, and emailing documents.
• The new search bar is expected to launch later in 2026, with no specific date announced.