Should a new local media site launch without a news section?
Short answer
I did. I held my site back four months because I didn't want to deal with news: either I write it, or AI-assisted articles go out with no local human checking them, which is a legal and reputation risk. So I launched with a business directory and job board. Businesses pay for the directory; news earns the least.
I got frustrated with myself. I was launching nothing, solely because I didn't want to do news.
"having directory and job board solves my biggest reason I didn't launch this for four months, which is the articles aspect, which I just don't want to deal with. Legally, risk, effort, this solves it."
What's the risk with news on a new site?
Someone has to write it. If it's me, that's my time. If it's AI articles written by an assistant overseas without a human in the area truly checking them, it's going to get you in trouble. You risk taking too much directly from other sites. People who've tried the automated news side have already been called out big time by media organizations. I don't think it's worth it yet.
What should launch instead?
- A business directory. A local listing of businesses.
- An automated job board.
The business directory is what people pay for. News is, in theory, the least valuable part financially. For how I'd charge for it, see how to monetize a local business directory.
Does news still matter?
Yes, just not first. News gets people to come back, and constant fresh content probably gives you some SEO juice.
What about photos on automated articles?
Before we published automated articles, I wanted to be 100% sure every photo came from a source we're allowed to use: stock sources like Unsplash and Pexels, plus a government source. I'm not a lawyer, so check your own situation.
My personal position: I'm not worried about using a business's own photos in an article that promotes that business, or an event's own image when we're promoting the event and sending people to its page. We're doing them a free service. It's like someone suing you because you got them a sale.
Be practical about it. "Just have the business email you a photo" sounds right in theory and doesn't work in practice. We're not tracking down business owners to send us photos. Ask for the simplest system that holds up.
What would I tell someone starting today?
Don't let the hardest, least profitable part stop you from launching the parts people pay for. Ship the directory and jobs, get them earning, then add news with a real local check in place. For launch order more generally, see whether to start with a website or a newsletter.
Answered by TJ Larkin. From Local Media HQ podcast conversations, client and partner calls, and my own notes, 2025-2026. Last updated .