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Greater Long Island is closing out 2025 as its strongest year yet, marked by record audience growth, rising engagement and industry recognition — a reflection of the publication’s expanding role in Long Island’s local news ecosystem.
According to internal year-end analytics, greaterlongisland.com recorded 9.38 million visitors in 2025, a 19 percent increase from 2024. The outlet also saw more than 8.4 million unique visitors, up 12 percent, along with strong gains across both new and returning readers.
Engagement followed suit. Pageviews climbed to just over 11.4 million, a 19 percent jump.
Growth across platforms
Beyond the website, Greater Long Island continued to expand its reach across digital platforms.
The publication gained 134,000 more social media followers in 2025, while app downloads increased 23 percent, signaling growing demand for local news delivered in real time.
The GLI Facebook feed alone was viewed more than 143 million times last year.
Brian Harmon, executive editor of Greater Long Island Media Group, said the numbers reflect a newsroom deeply connected to its audience.
“Our team shows up every day focused on telling Long Island’s stories accurately, responsibly and with urgency,” Harmon said. “The growth we’re seeing tells us that readers value that commitment and trust us to cover the news impacting their communities.”
Industry recognition
In addition to audience milestones, Greater Long Island earned two New York Emmy Award nominations in 2025, underscoring its growing presence not just locally, but within the broader regional media landscape.
The company was also recognized by the Press Club of Long Island with a 3rd Place win for Best Website in the 2025 PCLI Media Awards.
Publisher Michael White said the recognition and growth go hand in hand.
“We’ve always believed strong local journalism and sustainable growth don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” White said. “This year proved that when you invest in quality reporting and community-first coverage, audiences respond.”
Looking ahead
Nick Esposito, editorial director of Greater Long Island Media Group, credited the publication’s success to its readers and local partners.
“We want to extend our deepest thanks to our followers, readers and neighbors who take the time each day to engage with our work,” Esposito wrote in a related Instagram post. “Your support is what makes local journalism matter.
“We’re also incredibly grateful to our local sponsors, whose partnership allows us to deliver trusted, independent, and subscription-free news to our community.”
As Greater Long Island looks toward 2026, Esposito said the focus remains on innovation while staying grounded in the communities the outlet serves.
“As we look ahead, we remain committed to innovating, evolving, and reimagining how local news is told — while staying rooted in the communities we serve,” he said. “Expect big things in 2026.”
Another Instagram post highlighting Greater Long Island’s 10 most-read stories of 2025 is embedded below.
Top: The inlet span of the Robert Moses Causeway leads to the park and Fire Island. (GLI file photo/Nick Esposito)
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