USA Today Co. is reformatting content to attract more AI licensing deals

August 26, 2026 USA Today Co. is testing different ways to reformat its website content for an AI bot audience to attract AI content licensing deals. Restructuring content formats and templates can help make it easier for AI systems to access, understand and cite USA Today’s reporting, improving the discoverability of its content in AI answer engines, Kara Chiles, USA Today Co.’s svp of product management, told Digiday. It’s part of the publisher’s larger GEO strategy to optimize for these platforms, she said. Advertisement TOP STORY The Business of AI USA Today Co. is reformatting content to attract more AI licensing deals USA Today Co. is testing ways to reformat content for AI bots in a bid to attract licensing deals and unlock new revenue. OTHER THINGS TO KNOW Time is running out to join the Digiday Publishing Summit, taking place Sept. 14–16 in Miami. Connect with publishing leaders from CNBC, USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal and more through one-on-one meetings, dedicated networking opportunities and cocktail hours designed to spark meaningful conversations and connections. AI surfaced the risks of layering automation on top of unresolved data. The way forward begins with a neutral omnichannel measurement layer that can apply consistent logic across the environments where customers actually move. Partner insights from AppsFlyer. AI agents are expected to soon handle the end-to-end shopping journey — a fundamental shift in how shoppers discover, evaluate and purchase products. For marketers, the key to winning in agentic commerce is becoming agent-ready now. Partner insights from Talon.One. MEDIA & PLATFORMS Member exclusive Future of TV Briefing: Which agency team(s) should be responsible for YouTube Shorts? This week’s Future of TV Briefing looks at how agencies are sorting out which teams take the lead for buying YouTube Shorts ads. Evolving Agencies Dentsu expands and consolidates its commerce and retail media offering under new leadership One reason for the move to bring in new leadership: the commerce media and retail media worlds continue to grow at impressive rates PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM GOOGLE As agentic trading emerges, publishers rethink audience engagement and monetization According to a 2026 marketer survey by Google and BCG, 71% of marketers expect to increase investment in agentic buying and digital commerce in the next two years. MARKETING Member exclusive Digiday+ Research: The marketers’ 2026 guide to retail media marketing, including The Home Depot, Milani Cosmetics and Tinuiti As the retail media landscape continues to evolve, marketers are rethinking where they invest, how they measure success and which retail media networks deserve a larger share of budget. Brands in Culture Why more celebrity-led brands are shutting down Celebrity-backed brands, once seen as surefire bets due to their founders’ built-in audiences, are increasingly facing a reality check. PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM IBOTTA Why CPG brands can’t discount promotion strategies With the exponential growth of AI and the media landscape’s continued fragmentation, savvy CPG marketers are focused on connecting media, promotions and commerce to drive incremental sales. Advertisement PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM TRIPLELIFT Webinar: How CTV has become a key growth channel for publishers Join this webinar on Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. ET to learn how the New York Post, Sports Illustrated and Tastemade drive CTV revenue through curation, first-party data and creative differentiation. ICYMI The Creator Economy X creates a new revenue model for creators — but will it actually win them over? X’s new “original content rewards program” seeks creators who publish high-quality content on the platform. Will it bring in more creators? Written by Jim Cooper and Sara Jerde Were you forwarded this email? Sign up to get it daily. Advertise | Digiday+ | Events | Awards Update your email | Unsubscribe | Privacy policy