The Guardian iPhone App leading the way for paid content

In the debate on whether news should be free or paid for, opinions are divided. However, figures released this week regarding the number of downloads of the iPhone Guardian app indicate that users don’t actually mind paying for content.

Many news corporations, as well as Google, are highly skeptical of paid content - they say the internet should be a free-news zone. Both The Telegraph, Financial Times, and The Independent have now all released free news apps.

The Independent has claimed that its news app has been downloaded 59,000 times since it launched its app last August.

However, the news that The Guardian news application, which costs £2.39, has been downloaded 68,979 times since its release in December has put an entirely new slant on whether news corporations should actually charge users’ for their applications.

Emily Bell, News and Media director of digital content at The Guardian, is quoted in The Guardian as saying:

“We are thrilled with our download figures for the first month of the app. The feedback we have received from users has been excellent, yet also extremely informative in terms of features and functionality that can be improved in the future.”

Another impressive achievement is that The Guardian application has managed to reach number 26 in the Apple Apps Store, which is no mean feat when you consider that there are now well over 100,000 apps available to download.

According to The Guardian, its news application was designed by an in-house team and built by tech-company, 2ergo.

The Guardian app was originally only available in the UK, Ireland and the US. However, it has now been launched in most of European countries, as well as Australia and Canada.

So far, the response to the application has been positive, said The Guardian. And the impressive number of downloads in just one month certainly highlights the profitability of paid-for news applications.

Check out our review of The Guardian App for the iPhone here.