Deadline: 30-Jun-23
In order to further support Indian language news publishers in their efforts to make news easily accessible to consumers, Google News Initiative (GNI) is launching the Indian Languages Program.
India is currently experiencing an unprecedented rise in the consumption of news content in Indian languages. This remarkable growth can be attributed to several factors, including the increased availability of internet-enabled devices, affordable high-speed internet, rising digital literacy, and enhanced language support. As a result, a growing number of consumers in India have the ability to access news in their native language, which contributes to their overall awareness and empowerment.
Why should you apply?
- The GNI Indian Languages Program follows a structured format that includes various components to support and empower publishers. The program will be delivered in a total of 9 languages making it Google’s most diverse technology program for news publishers. The languages include English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Gujarati and Marathi. Here is an overview of what’s in it for publishers:
- Scaled inspiration series + virtual workshops: This part of the program consists of eight training sessions, technical, and inspiration workshops. These workshops feature guest speakers, success stories from previous GNI program participants, and Google-led sessions on topics such as Core Web Vitals, Website optimization, NCI (News Consumer Insights), YouTube, and more.
- Diagnosis + 1:1: All the selected publishers will undergo a diagnosis process that assesses their page speed, core web vitals performance, and other relevant parameters to provide unified guidance for quality signals that are essential to delivering a great user experience on the web. The 1:1 phase involves providing guidance and support to address the identified areas, including remediation of issues related to Core Web Vitals, schema, site manifests, mobile usability, content formats, and additional revenue enhancement solutions.
- Mobile site and App development: A subset of selected publishers will receive dedicated consultations and technical implementation support to enable a best-in-class user experience. This long-term engagement involves working closely with publishers to develop a roadmap tailored to their specific needs.
Eligible Regions: News Organizations must be incorporated or registered in India.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any Indian Language local news organizations that produce original news and are incorporated or registered in India.
- Eligible applicants must have an operational website and a minimum of 12 months of continuous operation.
- Newsrooms with a staffing capacity of at least 30 full-time employee (FTE) employees.
- Local and regional publishers employing more than 100 FTE journalists may also apply, selection is subject to Google’s discretion.
- Eligible applicants can include for-profit or nonprofit traditional news organizations, digital natives, and broadcasters.
Participation Requirements
- Program-specific Requirements: Certain Programs may have Program-specific participation requirements (“Additional Requirements”) which will be listed in the application form for those Programs. For example, a Program related to improving your ad revenue will require you to share ‘read’ access to Google analytics with the Google News Initiative. By submitting an application for a Program with Additional Requirements and for as long as you participate in that Program, you agree to comply with the Additional Requirements including:
- sharing data solely to the extent necessary to participate successfully in the Program;
- sharing results and learnings with other Program participants solely for Program-related purposes such as knowledge-sharing;
- dedicating a set number of hours for Program activities;
- ensuring you have your company’s executive or leadership support to participate; and
- making a public announcement relating to your participation.
- Studies: You agree that as a condition of your application, Google may publicize studies relating to your participation in Programs and Google may use the learnings from and results of those studies, including in publicized playbooks, case studies, and other marketing, educational, or promotional tools or materials.
- Google Products and Services: If Google provides any products or services to Partner or any third party under these terms and conditions, the terms of use and Google policies generally applicable to those products or services will apply, and these terms and conditions will not modify those terms of use or Google policies.
For more information, visit GNI.