TLDR: Gannett, the parent company of USA TODAY Network, has entered into a strategic content licensing agreement with Perplexity, an AI-powered answer engine. This partnership allows Perplexity to license content from USA TODAY and over 200 local Gannett publications, integrating it into Perplexity’s AI search experiences, including its new web browser, Comet. The deal aims to ensure proper attribution and fair compensation for Gannett’s content in the evolving AI landscape, while also providing Gannett access to Perplexity’s AI technology.
NEW YORK, NY – Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI), a leading diversified media company and parent to the USA TODAY Network, announced on July 30, 2025, a significant strategic partnership with Perplexity, the AI-powered answer engine. This agreement will enable Perplexity to license content from USA TODAY and more than 200 local publications within the USA TODAY Network across the United States. This collaboration marks Gannett’s entry into the Perplexity Publisher Program as one of its largest U.S.-based media partners.
The core of this agreement involves the integration of Gannett’s premium content and trusted journalism into Perplexity’s AI-powered search experiences. This includes Perplexity’s newly launched agentic web browser, Comet, which is currently available to Perplexity Max and select Perplexity Pro subscribers and is expected to be broadly available starting in September. Comet is designed to integrate Perplexity’s AI search engine directly into the browsing experience, providing users with AI-driven answers sourced from credible content.
Michael Reed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gannett, emphasized the importance of this alliance: “As the largest local-to-national publishing and digital media organization in the country, the USA TODAY Network is focused on delivering innovation that drives audience engagement. As AI technology becomes increasingly integrated into the information ecosystem, we are committed to ensuring that our content is properly attributed and that we are fairly compensated.” Reed further stated that this deal exemplifies Gannett’s leadership in embracing transformative technology, setting a standard for valuing quality content and trusted journalism. He also noted that the partnership would accelerate AI opportunities through advertising revenue sharing and data leveraging, ultimately delivering shareholder value while providing credible content to Perplexity users.
Aravind Srinivas, Co-Founder and CEO at Perplexity, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Gannett’s commitment to credible reporting as an ideal fit for Perplexity’s mission to elevate the information landscape. Srinivas believes that AI presents an opportunity to enhance excellent journalism and that partnering with leading publishers like Gannett is crucial for developing new business models in the evolving digital environment.
Beyond content licensing, Gannett will also gain access to Perplexity’s advanced technology, including its Sonar API and Perplexity Enterprise Pro for all employees. The financial terms of this strategic deal have not been publicly disclosed.
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This agreement comes amidst ongoing discussions and legal challenges within the media industry regarding AI and content usage. Perplexity has recently faced a threat of litigation from the BBC and is currently involved in a lawsuit filed by Dow Jones and NYP Holdings concerning alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted works. Despite these legal battles, content licensing for machine learning purposes is gaining traction, with other major publishers like The New York Times also securing significant licensing deals with AI companies.
