Fresh industry data has positioned the Daily Mail's digital applications at the forefront of British news consumption, revealing an exceptional level of reader engagement that outshines its competitors.
Top Rankings in Time Spent
The analysis, conducted by Press Gazette using Ipsos iris figures, shows the Mail+ Editions app secured first place in a ranking of the nation's most popular news applications. Users spent a remarkable average of 758 minutes per month on this service, which provides a precise digital replica of the print newspaper alongside puzzles and exclusive bonus material.
This engagement figure was substantially higher than the second-placed digital offering from The Times and The Sunday Times, which recorded 539 minutes. The separate Daily Mail app, home to live breaking news, sport, and subscriber-only features, took third place overall with an average of 392 minutes of monthly user time.
Surpassing Rivals and Growing Audiences
The collective time spent on the standard Daily Mail app in November last year exceeded 551 million minutes. This total was only behind BBC News and Apple News, placing it ahead of all traditional newspaper rivals. Meanwhile, the subscriber-only Mail+ Editions service enjoyed a 58% year-on-year surge in total engagement time, reaching nearly 168 million minutes in November.
The data highlights a significant shift in the digital landscape. Both Daily Mail apps have now overtaken The Telegraph's application, which fell from second to fifth position. The average monthly time on The Telegraph's app dropped by 25% to 360 minutes, down from 480 minutes in October 2024.
Context and Comparisons
While BBC News remains the UK's largest news app by audience size with 15 million users, the Daily Mail's platforms lead on depth of engagement. The figures reveal a stark contrast with other major publishers. For instance, users of The Sun's mobile news app averaged just 107 minutes per month, while readers of The Guardian's digital versions spent 189 minutes.
Fourth place in the engagement ranking went to The New York Times digital crossword, with an average use of 377 minutes monthly.
The success of the Mail's digital strategy underscores a powerful connection with its audience. The Mail+ Editions app caters to those seeking the traditional newspaper experience on smart devices, while the Daily Mail app serves readers demanding constant updates and exclusive digital content.
