Apple news app coming this fall; how to prepare

Apple recently announced the upcoming release of their new News app, an iOS app that will aggregate high-quality news, magazines and blogs into a mobile-ready format. According to recent reports, the app will be released as part of iOS 9, sometime this fall.

For content marketers and publishers this new app may provide an opportunity to place their articles in front of many more readers. But how do you get started? Apple’s “News Publishing Guide” gives us instructions — here are a few of the questions they answer:

What is News Publisher?
News Publisher is an iCloud-based website where you can sign up as a News publisher, add RSS feeds, and manage your channels, members, and publisher information.

Can I distribute content on News?
Yes. The sign-up and distribution processes are the same for everyone, whether you’re part of a company or you’re self-published.

Do I need an Apple ID? How do I create one?
Yes, you’ll need an Apple ID in order to sign up and distribute content on Apple News.

To create an Apple ID, visit News Publisher. Click the “Create one now” link below the Apple ID and password fields, then follow the on-screen instructions.

How much does it cost to sign up to distribute content on Apple News?
Distributing content on News is free. Complete terms and conditions are available during the sign‑up process.

How do I sign up to distribute content on News?
Sign in to News Publisher with your Apple ID and password.

• Enter your publisher information.
• Set up your channel to provide more information about your content.
• For more details, see Becoming a News Publisher.

What do I do after I sign up?
After you sign up, you can use News Publisher to add RSS feeds to your channel, create and manage sections, and edit your publisher information. We’ll review your submission and let you know if we need more information.

If you don’t have RSS feeds and want to wait for Apple News Format, there’s nothing more you have to do — we’ll notify you as soon as Apple News Format is available.

How do I add my RSS feeds to News?
Go to News Publisher to add RSS feeds, manage your account, and edit your channel details. Be sure to review the RSS Best Practices before adding your feeds.

Can I add multiple channels to News?
We recommend creating a single channel for your content, with optional sections. If you have multiple publications or localized publications, you should create multiple channels.

What is a section?
Use sections to organize the content within your channel. For example, a single channel might include Sports, Food, and Life sections. Each section can take its content from multiple RSS feeds. Sections are optional.

Can I add multiple sections to my channel?
Yes. By default, your channel will include a single section that contains all channel content. You can create additional sections to further organize your content. You’ll need at least two sections with content if you want a section bar to appear in your channel.

Where do I get the link to my channel?
You’ll find your channel link in the email you receive when your channel is approved and available in News. To get this link later, go to News Publisher.

Can I share links to my articles?
Yes. You can send an article link to anyone by tapping the Share icon in the toolbar.

If the recipient has iOS 9, the link opens in News. On all other platforms, the link opens in a browser.

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NOTES

• Source: How Marketers Can Get Their Content Listed in the Upcoming Apple News App | HubSpot
• More info: “News Publishing Guide” | Apple