AOP census reveals online publishing revenues on the increase

by Julia Pearlman, Brand Republic 23-May-05

LONDON – The perception that the internet is a free place for consumers could soon be a thing of the past, according to a new survey showing a significant rise in the number of publishers charging for online content.

According to the research by the Association of Online Publishers, 63% of its members are now charging for online content, compared with 58% in 2004.

Paid-for content now provides 19% of overall revenue with the largest source coming from display advertising, supplying 47% of all income. More than half of AOP members, 58%, are now generating £1m annually from ads alone.

The findings, however, reveal a decline in one-off payments and an increase in subscription based models.

Bill Murray, AOP chairman and managing director for group information strategy at Haymarket, said it is becoming clear how much trust and credence that consumers attach to content.

"With increased maturity in the online space, AOP members can look forward to developing more ambitious, profitable activity with greater confidence," Murray said.

Other sources of revenue include recruitment classified ads, which make up 14%of the total, content syndication, making up 5%, e-commerce, sponsorship, web design and development, newsletter ads and commission on sales.

As many as 55% of respondents now believe that broadband will have a 'very positive' impact on their business, though 13% believe that it will have little impact either way or see it in a negative light.

Murray believes that with the increased amount of time that a consumer is spending online with added content opportunities, will mean that we can now look at the digital space as far more of an opportunity and far less of a threat.

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