Digiday Daily

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.

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.