As a PR professional, you're always looking for the next spot for a story that will put your client or business in the media spotlight. Besides being relevant to your topic of interest, a magazine should have one more thing: a large (and relevant) readership.
Today, we put our hand to making a list of the top American magazines and show you how we curated it, why these are the most popular US magazines, and how you can reach the journalists that work there.
If you want to find the best media outlets for your project right away, try Prowly's media database free for 7 days and start building meaningful relationships today.
How we built this list of the most popular magazines in the United States (and how you can too)
We didn't just sit down and start creating a list of the outlets we simply think are cool based on our gut feelings and preferences. The list we built was curated through Prowly, our own PR platform.
Here's how you can do the same thing, step by step.
1. Create a Prowly account
Signing up takes just a few minutes and you get access to all the features for free for seven days. That's more than enough to test if the size and quality of the database suits your needs.
2. Head to the Media Database
Prowly's media database has over one million contacts. Besides individual journalists, you can also use it to build lists, such as that of the best US magazines.
It's easy to narrow down your search with intuitive filters and Prowly's AI Assistant's aid, so you can see only what is truly most relevant for you.
Here's how it works in practice:
3. Tick off "Media outlets" and then "United States" as location
We want results exclusively from the USA.
4. Head to the "Traffic insights" tab
Mark off the following: 150M+, 100-150M, 50-100M and 20-50M. This will give you a list of outlets with anywhere from 20 to over 150 million monthly visits.
Prowly gets this data direct from Semrush, one of the world's most accurate SEO tools.
Want to find magazines and journalists the easy way?
A list of the most popular American magazines
#1 Forbes Online
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 194M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 91
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 676
Forbes Online is a go-to destination for entrepreneurs, executives, and ambitious professionals looking to stay ahead in the business world. Covering topics from finance and leadership to technology and innovation, Forbes delivers expert insights, rankings, and inspiring success stories. Its target audience includes business leaders, investors, and trendsetters who crave actionable advice and industry updates.
#2 CNN International Online
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 117M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 91
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 724
CNN International Online keeps the globe connected with breaking news, in-depth analysis, and cultural stories from every corner of the world. Catering to a global audience, it dives into international politics, economies, and human-interest features, making it essential reading for travelers, expats, and anyone with a global mindset.
#3 IGN.com
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 283M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 91
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 108
IGN.com is a gamerβs paradise, covering the latest in video games, movies, TV, and geek culture. With reviews, trailers, and sneak peeks, itβs tailored for entertainment enthusiasts who love being in the know about the hottest releases and pop culture trends.
#4 Bleacher Report
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 23M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 91
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 20
Bleacher Report scores big with sports fans, offering real-time updates, commentary, and fan-driven content across all major sports. From football to basketball, itβs perfect for anyone who eats, sleeps, and breathes sportsβand loves a little flair in their updates.
#5 ABC News
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 57M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 91
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 29
ABC News is a trusted source for breaking news, investigative journalism, and human-interest stories. Covering everything from politics to lifestyle, it caters to a wide demographic of news-savvy individuals who value credible and timely reporting.
#6 TMZ.com
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 83M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 91
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 3
TMZ.com is the ultimate guilty pleasure for celebrity gossip and entertainment news. Known for its fast-paced scoops, paparazzi photos, and candid coverage, itβs ideal for pop culture junkies who thrive on staying ahead of the Hollywood buzz.
#7 CNN Online
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 748M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 89
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 78
CNN Online delivers around-the-clock news coverage with in-depth reporting on politics, technology, health, and world affairs. Catering to a broad audience, itβs the digital hub for anyone seeking up-to-the-minute news and thought-provoking stories.
#8 NBC News
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 125M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 89
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 429
NBC News combines decades of journalistic legacy with cutting-edge reporting on politics, current events, and culture. It appeals to well-informed readers who value thorough reporting and engaging multimedia content.
#9 Digital Trends
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 16M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 89
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 51
Digital Trends is your ultimate tech lifestyle guide, offering insights on gadgets, home automation, and the latest in consumer tech. Targeting tech enthusiasts and everyday users, it bridges the gap between high-tech and practical living.
#10 CNN Business
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 3M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 89
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 29
CNN Business is a hub for professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs who want to stay informed about markets, economics, and corporate news. Itβs a smart pick for decision-makers navigating the fast-paced world of business.
#11 MarketWatch
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 58M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 89
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 86
MarketWatch caters to investors and financial enthusiasts, offering stock market updates, economic news, and expert analysis. Whether youβre a seasoned trader or a curious newcomer, itβs the ultimate destination for making informed financial moves.
#12 VICE
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 9M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 89
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 18
VICE pushes boundaries with edgy, thought-provoking content on culture, politics, and underground movements. Its bold storytelling attracts millennials and Gen Z readers who seek fresh perspectives and arenβt afraid to challenge the norm.
#13 Yahoo! News
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 179M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 89
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 1,000
Yahoo! News is a one-stop-shop for a mix of breaking news, entertainment, and lifestyle content. Its broad appeal makes it a favorite among casual news browsers who want everything from politics to feel-good stories in one place.
#14 Variety
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 67M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 89
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 100
Variety is Hollywoodβs heartbeat, delivering insider scoops on entertainment, TV, film, and theater. A must-read for industry insiders and entertainment buffs, itβs where showbiz gets serious and seriously fun.
#15 BuzzFeed
βͺοΈ Visits per month: 87M
βͺοΈ Influence score: 87
βͺοΈ Contributing journalists: 118
BuzzFeed is the king of viral content, offering a mix of quizzes, listicles, and news that keep readers scrolling for hours. Perfect for millennials and Gen Z, it blends humor, relatability, and cultural commentary into every bite-sized post.
Find magazines and journalists in seconds with Prowly
Did you know that it took us just a few moments to curate this list of the best magazines in the USA?
With Prowly, you can search for outlets and journalists worldwide, thanks to our media database of over one million contacts. Find journalists based on location, topics of interest, previously published articles, and many other details. And the best part is, you can give it a try for free.
