Google Ends Enterprise Subscription to Financial Times Amid Broader Cost-Cutting Efforts
In a move that reflects its ongoing efforts to reduce costs, Google has ended its enterprise subscription to the Financial Times, according to sources. This decision is part of a broader cost-cutting strategy implemented by the search giant across 2025.
The cuts are aimed at reducing expenses and improving profitability, despite Alphabet's strong financial performance in Q2 2025, with revenues reaching $96.4 billion. Google has been implementing various cost-reduction measures since January, including eliminating 35 managers who oversee teams of three people or fewer and offering voluntary exit programs across multiple divisions.
"Google is committed to making targeted investments that drive growth and efficiency," said a spokesperson for the company in an email statement. "We're constantly evaluating our business operations to ensure we're allocating resources effectively."
The decision to end its enterprise subscription to the Financial Times may save Google mere thousands, but it also reflects the strained relationships between the tech giant and news publishers. Data from Digital Content Next shows that median referral traffic from Google Search to publishers fell 10% between May and June of this year, with non-news brands experiencing a 14% drop.
Major outlets such as CNN, Business Insider, and HuffPost have reportedly seen even sharper traffic declines, with drops of 30%, 40%, and 50% respectively. These numbers highlight the challenges faced by news publishers in maintaining their online presence amidst increased competition from tech giants like Google.
The decision to end its enterprise subscription to the Financial Times is not an isolated incident. Sources say that other enterprise media subscriptions are also under review, as part of Google's broader cost-cutting efforts.
Google's finance chief, Anat Ashkenazi, signaled late last year that the company would continue to push for cost cuts, despite strong financial performance. This mandate appears unchanged, even with Alphabet reporting robust Q2 2025 results.
The implications of this decision are far-reaching and have significant consequences for news publishers and online content creators. As Google continues to prioritize cost-cutting measures, it remains to be seen how these efforts will impact the tech giant's relationships with news publishers and its overall business strategy.
In a statement, Digital Content Next CEO Jason Kint said: "The decline in referral traffic from Google Search is a concerning trend for news publishers. We urge Google to reconsider its approach and prioritize partnerships that benefit both parties."
As Google continues to navigate its cost-cutting efforts, one thing is clear: the tech giant's relationship with news publishers will remain under scrutiny in the coming months.
Sources:
Digital Content Next
Alphabet Q2 2025 results
Google spokesperson email statement
*Reporting by Techcrunch.*
