A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that email newsletters remain a niche but notable source of news for Americans, with three-in-ten U.S. adults (30%) saying they get news from them at least sometimes. However, regular or preferred use is limited, and many subscribers do not engage deeply with the content they receive.
According to the just released report, based on a nationally representative survey of 5,153 U.S. adults conducted August 18-24, 2025:
Unlike many digital news platforms where usage skews heavily by age, newsletter consumption shows relative consistency across age groups. However, it is higher among those with college degrees (35% at least sometimes vs. 25% for those with high school education or less), higher incomes, and certain racial/ethnic groups (Black and Asian Americans are more likely than White and Hispanic Americans to use them at least sometimes).
- Only 6% of U.S. adults say they often get news from email newsletters.
- 24% do so sometimes.
- The rest report doing so rarely (26%) or never (43%).
Even among those who get news from newsletters at least rarely, engagement appears low:
- A majority (62%) say they do not end up reading most of the newsletters they receive
- Most keep their subscriptions modest, with 71% subscribing to fewer than five newsletters
- Only 3% to more than 10, and 16% unsure of the exact number
- 7% of all U.S. adults — report having paid for or donated to a news-focused email newsletter in the past year (via subscriptions, memberships, or other support)
Unlike many digital news platforms where usage skews heavily by age, newsletter consumption shows relative consistency across age groups. However, it is higher among those with college degrees (35% at least sometimes vs. 25% for those with high school education or less), higher incomes, and certain racial/ethnic groups (Black and Asian Americans are more likely than White and Hispanic Americans to use them at least sometimes).
The findings highlight newsletters as a supplementary rather than dominant news pathway in an evolving media landscape, where digital options compete with traditional sources, and many Americans report feeling overwhelmed by news volume overall. The full report is available on the Pew Research Center website.