Daily Mirror-owner faces largest loss in ten years as Google traffic declines

Reach Faces Record Loss Amid Google Algorithm Changes

Reach, the publisher behind the Daily Mirror, has reported its largest financial loss in over ten years, following a dramatic decrease in web traffic from Google that significantly reduced its online readership.

Previously known as Trinity Mirror, the company recorded a £165 million deficit after alerting investors to a substantial drop in visitors referred by Google.

This downturn, which reversed a £63 million profit from the previous year, was largely attributed to a £223 million impairment charge, as fewer users arrived via Google’s search platform, forcing the company to lower its growth expectations.

Piers North, Reach’s chief executive, commented, “Challenging conditions in both referral traffic and the broader market have dampened our short-term outlook for digital expansion.”

This marks the steepest loss since Reach adopted its current name, impacting not only the Daily Mirror and Express but also numerous regional publications.

The company rebranded in 2018 after acquiring the Express titles from Richard Desmond. The last time it faced a comparable loss was in 2014, when it reported a £160 million shortfall.

Reach has struggled to adapt to ongoing changes in Google’s search algorithms, which have jeopardized the flow of visitors to its free-access news sites.

Google’s rollout of “AI Overviews”—concise summaries of news topics—has intensified competition, as more users rely on Google for information, making it harder for media outlets to attract readers directly.

According to Ipsos data from January, some of Reach’s most prominent local news sites experienced sharp declines in page views due to these changes:

• Surrey Live saw an 85% decrease in page views
• Leeds Live’s traffic dropped by 77%
• Bristol Live experienced a nearly 70% fall

Despite these setbacks, Reach has highlighted its own use of artificial intelligence. The company says its “Guten” tool, which repurposes content from its various outlets, now contributes to 26% of its published articles.

To counteract falling ad revenues, Reach has begun introducing paid subscriptions for its national and regional newspapers, including the Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo, and WalesOnline.

So far, around 15,000 readers have signed up for these premium offerings, with a goal of reaching 75,000 digital subscribers within the year.

In September, Reach announced plans to cut 321 jobs, including 186 editorial positions, while also creating 135 new roles, primarily focused on video content production.

Union representatives have raised concerns that the closure of most of Reach’s printing facilities could put over 250 jobs in jeopardy.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham criticized the move, stating, “It is unacceptable for Reach to lay off skilled print workers, especially given that their efforts have been fundamental to the company’s past success.”

Additional Developments

Beyond the impairment charge, Reach confirmed that shutting down two of its printing plants—in Watford, Hertfordshire, and Saltire, Scotland—will result in £25 million in savings.

The company’s annual report revealed an 8% decline in page views and a 0.9% decrease in digital revenue. In the last quarter of 2025 alone, digital income dropped by 7.8%.