The Guardian - Live World News

What it does

The Guardian app delivers the publication's world-renowned journalism directly to mobile devices. It provides a live feed of breaking news, in-depth articles, opinion pieces, and cultural coverage. More than just a news reader, the app allows users to create a highly personalized experience by following specific topics, individual journalists, and even podcast series, curating a feed tailored to their interests.

Where it shines

The app excels at delivering a clean, readable experience that prioritizes content. The personalization system is a standout feature. At 02:53, the user follows a specific author, demonstrating a level of curation that goes beyond simple category selection. Another highlight is the integrated podcast player (05:07), which seamlessly minimizes to a persistent bar, allowing users to listen while continuing to browse other articles. This multi-format consumption model is executed flawlessly.

UX highlights

Contextual Sign-Up: The app triggers its account creation flow only when a user attempts a personalization action (00:33), making the request feel necessary.
Granular Personalization: Users can follow topics, authors, and podcast series, which are then aggregated in the "My Guardian" section.
Persistent Mini-Player: Podcasts can be played in the background via a mini-player (05:08), enabling multitasking within the app.
Smart Saved List: The "Saved" section includes filters for "Read" and "Unread" (06:45), turning it into a functional reading queue.
Regional Editions: A simple dropdown (00:10) allows users to switch between international editions like the US, UK, and Australia.
Clean Typography: The article layout is spacious and highly readable, focusing attention on the content itself.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is handled through a soft, value-driven approach rather than a hard paywall. Content is not blocked, but a "Support the Guardian" screen appears periodically (e.g., at 04:43 and 07:05). This screen frames the subscription as a way to fund independent journalism. It presents two tiers, Monthly and Annual, with the annual plan highlighted with a "Save over 20%" tag. The core benefit offered is an ad-free experience, appealing to engaged readers who want to support the publication.

Who it’s for

The app is for discerning news consumers who value high-quality, in-depth journalism. It's ideal for readers who want to move beyond generic headlines and build a news feed that reflects their specific interests, from global politics to the work of a single journalist. The integrated podcast feature also caters to users who enjoy consuming news in multiple formats.

Notes & opportunities

While the persistent podcast player is a strength, it remains visible even after the audio is paused, which could feel slightly cluttered to some users. The personalization features are powerful, but they require some discovery. Making the "My Guardian" or "Followed" section a more prominent part of the main navigation could encourage users to engage with these features earlier and more often, increasing long-term retention.