# Apple News Platform: Apple News | §10.2 > **Where this platform overrides General Guidelines:** The headline character range is **90–120 characters (data-validated)**—substantially above the 80–100 universal default; data-validated performance shows engagement rising through 110–119. **Question headlines, number-led headlines, and "What to Know" endings underperform in organic algorithmic reach (data-validated)** and should be avoided. **AI disclosure requirements exceed General Guidelines §1.6**—AI-generated or AI-assisted content requires a byline or co-byline and must be tagged in News Publisher metadata; AI-generated media must be clearly labeled. The **subtitle field is a required publishing step** with no General Guidelines equivalent. **Thumbnail specs** (300×300px minimum, 1:2 to 3:1 aspect ratio) have no General Guidelines equivalent. --- ### Platform Overview Apple News delivers content natively across iPhone, iPad, and Mac via a combination of algorithmic personalization, social signals, and human editorial curation. Two publishing format options are available: - **RSS feed**—standard layout; simpler setup - **Apple News Format (ANF)**—**recommended**; JSON-based format with full typography control, photo galleries, parallax scrolling, and animations; renders natively and optimally across all Apple devices Apple's human editorial team curates featured content. Quality, originality, and factual accuracy are prerequisites for featured placement—not just best practices. --- ### Headline **(REQUIRED)** **Character count: 90–120 characters. Data-validated: engagement rises through 110–119 characters.** - **Compelling and informative**—Apple News readers expect content that earns their full attention, not just a click - **Write a separate Apple News title**—distinct from the shorter SEO/Discover variant; the Apple News title can be set as an override in News Publisher - **Avoid question headlines**—underperform in organic algorithmic reach on Apple News and SmartNews (data-validated) - **Avoid number-led headlines**—underperform on Apple News despite performing well on other platforms including SmartNews (data-validated) - **Avoid "What to Know" endings**—worst-performing formula on SmartNews (pct_rank 0.37, p=3.0e-6, n=213); avoid on both platforms for organic reach - Casing: follow destination site style guide --- ### Subtitle (Excerpt) **(REQUIRED)** **Populate the subtitle field in News Publisher.** Without a subtitle, Apple pulls from the first paragraph of the article body as the excerpt—that paragraph is rarely optimized as a standalone excerpt. - The subtitle appears below the headline in Apple News feeds - Write it as a 1–2 sentence excerpt that complements the headline and earns the tap - It should not repeat the headline verbatim --- ### Tone **(REQUIRED)** Polished, confident, editorially rich, trustworthy. Apple News readers expect a curated, magazine-quality experience—not content that feels mass-produced. Editorial investment is visible in this environment. Content that reads as rushed or formulaic underperforms against the quality bar Apple's algorithm and editorial team reward. **Target persona: The Apple News Explorer**—A cross-device reader who encounters content through algorithmic personalization, social signals, and human editorial curation. Expects polished visuals and content that feels worth reading in full. Core Drive: *Surface the best of what I care about and make it worth my time to read the whole thing.* --- ### Article Structure **(REQUIRED)** - Lean into **Apple News Format (ANF)** over basic RSS—ANF unlocks typography control, galleries, parallax, and animations that reward editorial investment and drive significantly higher engagement - Maintain a **consistent publishing schedule**—the algorithm rewards regularity alongside engagement signals - Select appropriate **content categories** (technology, lifestyle, sports, etc.) in News Publisher for discoverability - Include **CTA boxes** within articles where appropriate—drive readers to newsletters, subscriptions, or owned properties - **Sports content** has the strongest topic signal on Apple News. Business and lifestyle content consistently perform lower—compensate with stronger headline execution in those verticals --- ### Image Requirements **(REQUIRED)** | Spec | Requirement | |---|---| | Lead image minimum width | 1,200px (cross-platform baseline) | | Thumbnail minimum dimensions | **300×300px** | | Thumbnail aspect ratio | **1:2 to 3:1** | | Image resolution | High-resolution encouraged throughout | | Galleries | Supported via ANF | | Embedded video | Supported (YouTube/Vimeo) | | AI-generated or AI-augmented media | **Must be clearly labeled** | --- ### AI Content Policy **(REQUIRED)** Apple imposes disclosure requirements beyond General Guidelines §1.6. Apply all of the following in addition to the standard AI disclaimer. - **Articles generated by or assisted by AI** must include a byline or co-byline and be marked as AI-generated in News Publisher metadata - **AI used as a tool** for idea generation, headline generation, research, or editing does not require disclosure if a journalist composes and vets the final article - **AI-generated images, video, and audio** must be clearly labeled per publication standards - **Include an explanation of how AI was used** within the article to maintain reader trust --- ### Discoverability Apple News surfaces content through a combination of three signals: 1. **Algorithmic personalization**—based on user interaction patterns, topic relevance, and social engagement 2. **Social signals**—shares and engagement within the Apple News ecosystem 3. **Human editorial curation**—Apple's editorial team selects featured content; quality, originality, and factual accuracy are prerequisites **Promote feature:** Publishers can submit up to 6 articles per section for promoted placement. Consistent publishing cadence is rewarded—irregular publication depresses algorithmic standing over time. --- ### Monetization - Ads managed via **Workbench** - Publishers keep **100% of self-sold ad revenue**; **70% of Apple-sold revenue** - **Affiliate content is algorithmically prioritized**—product reviews and gear guides that already exist for other channels can be repurposed for Apple News with minimal additional production; strong alignment for Experiences and Everyday Living verticals - **CTA boxes** supported within articles—drive readers to newsletters, subscriptions, or owned properties --- ### Analytics Apple News analytics are available in **News Publisher**. Key metrics: views, engagement, shares. Topic performance signal for planning: - **Sports:** strongest topic signal - **Business and lifestyle:** consistently lower performance—compensate with stronger headline execution --- ### What to Avoid | Prohibited | Reason | |---|---| | Question headlines (for algorithmic reach) | Underperform in organic Apple News views—see Featured Placement exception in Headline section | | Number-led headlines | Underperform on Apple News despite performing well on other platforms | | Omitting the subtitle field | Apple pulls from first paragraph if no subtitle; first paragraphs are rarely excerpt-optimized | | Thumbnail below 300×300px or outside 1:2–3:1 ratio | Platform image spec | | Publishing AI-generated content without byline/co-byline | Apple AI content policy—required; also tag in News Publisher metadata | | Unlabeled AI-generated images, video, or audio | Apple AI content policy | | Using RSS-only when ANF is available | ANF delivers significantly higher engagement via rich media support | | Irregular publishing cadence | Algorithm rewards consistent publication alongside engagement signals | --- ### Pre-Publish Checklist - Apple News title: 90–120 characters (110–119 target), compelling and informative, distinct from SEO/Discover headline - No question headlines (unless specifically targeting featured placement—see Headline section) - No number-led headlines - Subtitle field populated in News Publisher - Content categories selected for discoverability - Publishing format: ANF (preferred) or RSS - Lead image: 1,200px+ wide - Thumbnail: 300×300px minimum, aspect ratio 1:2 to 3:1 - All AI-generated or AI-augmented media clearly labeled - If AI-generated or AI-assisted content: byline/co-byline present; tagged as AI-generated in News Publisher metadata; explanation of AI use included in article - Standard AI disclaimer per General Guidelines §1.6 applied - CTA box included where appropriate - Promote feature submission considered (up to 6 articles per section)