Facing a rapidly shifting digital media landscape, EmpowerLocal, the first nationwide network of independent local news, sports, and lifestyle media, has announced an expanded partnership with Search.com, the new generative AI platform from Public Good.
The collaboration will introduce AI-powered search and chat widgets across more than 1,000 local publisher websites, giving community outlets access to cutting-edge engagement tools typically reserved for larger national media organizations.
At a time when small and mid-sized local newsrooms continue to struggle with declining ad revenue and shrinking staff, EmpowerLocal’s mission is to connect these publishers with premium brand partnerships and digital innovations that help them sustain—and scale—their impact.
AI-Driven Search, Built for Publishers
At the center of this initiative is Search.com’s GenAI widget, an interactive chat-based search tool designed to live natively within publisher websites. Readers can query, compare, and discover local content and product recommendations in natural language, while advertisers gain contextual, moment-of-intent connections with consumers.
“Since 2021, Public Good has been a key part of our solution for local publications,” said Steven Burnham, CEO of EmpowerLocal. “We’re excited to extend that partnership with their new division, Search.com. This innovation will drive reader engagement and open new revenue streams to support local publishers—which is our mission.”
The integration gives participating outlets access to a plug-and-play AI experience that requires no heavy development lift, while creating new ad monetization opportunities as consumers interact with generative search results.
Reimagining Local News Sustainability
The challenge facing local media is well-documented: more than 2,000 local newspapers have closed in the past two decades, and digital-native outlets face similar headwinds. What EmpowerLocal is attempting mirrors a broader movement to equip local journalism with technology once confined to Silicon Valley.
By embedding AI chat-driven discovery tools, EmpowerLocal hopes to increase on-site engagement, session duration, and ad conversions—metrics that directly influence publisher sustainability.
“EmpowerLocal and Public Good share the belief that access to trusted local news and information is fundamental to our way of life,” said Melissa Anderson, President of Public Good. “Together, we’re committed to delivering tools and solutions that help local publishers thrive—not just survive.”
Beyond Search: Local AI Commerce and Engagement
What sets this partnership apart is its dual focus on discovery and monetization. The Search.com AI layer not only delivers content recommendations but also enables local commerce experiences—connecting community readers with nearby businesses and sponsored offers surfaced contextually within AI chat interactions.
The model represents a potential third revenue stream for community publishers: after advertising and subscriptions, AI-enabled engagement commerce could become a vital pillar of sustainability.
The Bigger Picture
The EmpowerLocal–Search.com collaboration reflects a larger trend: AI democratization for smaller publishers. As Big Tech platforms recalibrate their relationships with media and advertising, independent publishers are looking to reclaim their audiences and monetization pathways through direct AI integration.
For EmpowerLocal, which already represents hundreds of community outlets nationwide, the rollout signals a step toward a connected ecosystem of local journalism powered by AI—one where independent voices are amplified rather than replaced by algorithms.
Power Tomorrow’s Intelligence — Build It with TechEdgeAI
