After going online-only, the Independent recorded a healthy increase in traffic back in April, but just one month on it looks like the title is in trouble already.
According to the latest ABC data, the Indy recorded a -7.19% dip in May, shedding -236,231 daily unique browsers. It was the largest drop of any online newsbrand in the UK – and for a title that now has no physical presence, should be a major concern.
Elsewhere in the market, the Guardian also recorded a decline – down 373,000 (-4%), while Mail Online (still in the top spot) dropped by just -0.61, losing 85,300 browsers over the month.
The largest gains made by the major newsbrands were recorded by the dailystar.co.uk, up 17%, and express.co.uk – up more than 11%.
| Site | May 16 daily average unique browsers | Apr 16 daily average unique browsers | Actual change | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MailOnline | 13,954,521 | 14,039,907 | -85,386 | -0.61 |
| theguardian.com | 8,923,129 | 9,296,081 | -372,952 | -4.01 |
| Trinity Mirror Nationals | 4,643,612 | 4,565,253 | 78,359 | 1.72 |
| Telegraph | 4,342,570 | 4,127,605 | 214,965 | 5.21 |
| The Independent | 3,048,377 | 3,284,608 | -236,231 | -7.19 |
| The Sun | 2,367,137 | 2,344,426 | 22,711 | 0.97 |
| express.co.uk | 1,559,744 | 1,400,270 | 159,474 | 11.39 |
| Metro | 1,207,841 | 1,192,826 | 15,015 | 1.26 |
| dailystar.co.uk | 899,259 | 768,589 | 130,670 | 17.00 |
| manchestereveningnews.co.uk | 712,021 | 626,389 | 85,632 | 13.67 |
| Evening Standard | 539,880 | 492,538 | 47,342 | 9.61 |
| www.liverpoolecho.co.uk | 584,619 | 538,604 | 46,015 | 8.54 |
| Wales Online | 286,568 | 292,880 | -6,312 | -2.16 |
| Newcastle Chroniclelive.co.uk | 258,661 | 219,536 | 39,125 | 17.82 |
| Birmingham Mail | 206,684 | 210,306 | -3,622 | -1.72 |
| Teesside Evening Gazette | 114,725 | 107,086 | 7,639 | 7.13 |
| Daily Post (Wales) | 83,187 | 84,590 | -1,403 | -1.66 |
| Huddersfield Daily Examiner | 55,866 | 52,978 | 2,888 | 5.45 |
| Coventry Telegraph | 57,115 | 60,193 | -3,078 | -5.11 |
Source: ABC
