Who Can Publish in Apple News?
Professional journalistic publications based in four countries. Apple’s support guide says “Apple News is a distribution platform for professional publications of a journalistic nature” and that “Apple is committed to maintaining a trusted, informative news environment by advancing quality journalism” (Apple Support).
Publishers use News Publisher, which Apple calls “the iCloud application you use to publish articles to Apple News.” Content can come “from an existing content management system (CMS),” as uploaded Apple News Format (ANF) articles, or be created directly in News Publisher, and the tool “allows content in English and Canadian French only” (Apple Support).
Does a Corporate Newsroom or Company Blog Qualify?
On Apple’s own wording, generally not. Apple says News is not intended for publications that are:
| Apple News is not intended for publications that are... | What it means for a company |
|---|---|
| “Not editorial or journalistic in nature” | Press releases and product pages are not editorial |
| “A personal blog or portfolio” | An executive’s blog is excluded |
| “Based outside countries where Apple News is available (Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States)” | Companies elsewhere cannot publish directly |
| “Primarily promoting a business, service, or nonprofit” | The test a corporate newsroom most obviously fails |
| “Primarily reposting and redistributing others’ content” | A feed of syndicated coverage is excluded |
| “Publishing factual inaccuracies or failing to adhere to widely accepted journalistic standards” | Applies to any publisher |
Source: Apple Support. The right-hand column is our reading, not Apple’s. A corporate site that republishes its own press releases meets at least the promotion exclusion. The pages we read do not say how Apple treats borderline cases, such as a company-funded magazine with its own editorial staff; a company in that position would need to ask Apple.
How Does a Publisher Apply, and Does It Cost Anything?
Apple’s pages we read do not set out sign-up steps, review criteria, a review timeline or a publishing fee, so we do not describe any. The News Publisher guide covers managing channels, creating and publishing articles, analytics and advertising, but its table of contents has no page on applying or on review (Apple Support).
On money, Apple describes how publishers earn rather than pay. Apple’s developer page says publishers can enable advertising in their channels and articles, “keeping 100% of the revenue generated from ads you sell, and 70% from ads sold by Apple” (Apple Developer).
What Does Apple Say About AI-Generated Articles?
Apple requires labeling and holds the publisher responsible. Its AI page says articles made with AI assistance should carry a byline or co-byline and be marked as AI-generated in News Publisher or with the matching ANF metadata property; AI may be used for tasks such as research or editing without disclosure when a journalist writes the article and vets the information (Apple Support).
It adds that “Using AI to mislead readers is not allowed and could lead to your channel’s suspension,” that “You’re responsible for the accuracy of all content published to Apple News,” and that publishers are “expected to correct any errors in a timely and transparent manner” (Apple Support). A company hoping to feed machine-written releases into the app would face both the promotion exclusion and these rules.
Does a Company Need the News Partner Program?
No. Apple says the program “is designed for subscription news publications that provide their content to Apple News in Apple News Format.” To be eligible, a publisher must maintain “a robust Apple News channel,” its app’s “primary function” must be “to deliver original, professionally-authored news content,” and the app must sell auto-renewable subscriptions through Apple’s in-app purchase system (Apple Developer).
What it offers is a lower commission: “Publishers that work with Apple News may qualify for a commission rate of 15% on qualifying in-app purchase subscriptions from day one” (Apple Developer). That matters to subscription news businesses, not to a company publicizing itself. Apple does not define “robust” or “qualifying” on that page.
How Does Company News Reach Apple News Readers?
Through coverage by a publication Apple carries. That is earned coverage, and the route is the same as for any outlet: a pitch to a reporter, an interview or a genuine news hook. Apple’s pages do not say whether any given story from a participating publisher will appear in the app, and we did not check which outlets publish there. For the pitching side, see What Is Earned Media? and How to Pitch a Journalist by Email.
What This Means for Anyone Buying a Placement
A promise of “Apple News placement” for a company’s own content should be checked, not assumed. Apple’s stated scope excludes publications primarily promoting a business, so a vendor selling Apple News exposure is really selling coverage in some other publication that Apple carries. Ask three questions: which publication, whether the article will be labeled sponsored, and what in-app link or screenshot you will receive.
The Apple pages we read do not address sponsored articles, so do not assume a rule either way. A paid article is advertising and should be disclosed; see What the FTC Requires for Paid Placement, and What Google News Requires of Sponsored Content for how another aggregator handles it.
Methodology and Limitations
Three limits apply. First, we read six Apple pages on October 20, 2026; Apple may publish further guidance elsewhere, including any application process. Second, the pages do not describe review criteria, timelines or fees, so we make no claims about them. Third, we did not submit a channel, interview anyone at Apple or test any vendor’s Apple News claim.
Conclusion
A company cannot treat Apple News as another place to post its own news. Apple puts promotional publications outside its intended scope, and the dependable way for a company’s news to reach the app is coverage by a publication Apple carries. For a buyer, “we will get you into Apple News” is a claim about someone else’s editorial decision, and it deserves the three questions above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a company publish its own press releases in Apple News?
Generally no. Apple says Apple News is not intended for publications “primarily promoting a business, service, or nonprofit,” which describes a typical corporate newsroom (Apple Support).
Which countries can Apple News publishers be based in?
Apple lists Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, and News Publisher accepts content in English and Canadian French only (Apple Support).
Is there a fee to publish in Apple News?
The Apple pages we read state no publishing fee. Apple says publishers keep 100% of revenue from ads they sell and 70% from ads Apple sells (Apple Developer).
Can AI-generated articles appear in Apple News?
Apple requires articles made with AI to be labeled, says using AI to mislead readers can lead to a channel’s suspension, and holds publishers responsible for accuracy (Apple Support).
What is the Apple News Partner Program?
A program for subscription news apps that publish in Apple News Format and sell auto-renewable subscriptions through Apple’s in-app purchase system; Apple says such publishers “may qualify” for a 15% commission from day one (Apple Developer).
How can a company get coverage that appears in Apple News?
By earning coverage from a publication Apple carries. Ask any vendor that promises Apple News placement which publication will run the story and whether it will be labeled sponsored.
Sources and Methodology
This guide is built from six Apple pages read October 20, 2026: two News Publisher support articles, the guide’s table of contents, its AI-generated content page, and two Apple Developer pages. Apple’s rules are quoted and kept separate from our reading, which is labeled. We did not submit a channel or test any vendor’s claim, and the pages carried no visible revision dates.
- official Apple, Publishing on Apple News. Purpose, the six exclusions, countries. Read October 20, 2026.
- official Apple, News Publisher overview. Tool, Apple News Format, delivery routes, languages. Read October 20, 2026.
- official Apple, News Publisher User Guide (contents). Topics covered; no application or review page. Read October 20, 2026.
- official Apple, AI-generated content. Labeling, suspension and accuracy rules. Read October 20, 2026.
- official Apple, News Partner Program. Eligibility and 15% commission wording. Read October 20, 2026.
- official Apple, News Publisher (Apple Developer). Advertising revenue shares. Read October 20, 2026.