Top U.S. Magazines by Reach and Traffic
The American media landscape continues to evolve, but one format that has stood the test of time is the magazine. From their origins in 17th-century Europe to their modern digital reincarnations, magazines have remained a consistent and trusted source of entertainment, news, lifestyle content and cultural commentary.
While digital transformation has reshaped the way people consume content, magazines today blend legacy appeal with modern innovation. In fact, many of the most popular magazines in the United States have successfully extended their influence far beyond traditional print subscriptions. They’ve become major players in digital publishing, commanding large online audiences and driving millions of visits each month.
This article explores some of the top-performing magazines in America ranked by circulation, cumulative reach and website traffic, and highlights their staying power in both print and digital media.
Understanding Modern Magazine Metrics
Despite changes in media consumption habits, metrics that have traditionally been used to evaluate print and digital magazine reach continue to be a strong indicator of consumer interest and loyalty. When evaluating magazines, analysts look at three key metrics:
Print Circulation: The number of copies distributed, usually measured by paid subscriptions and newsstand sales.
Readership: The total audience estimated to read the publication, including pass-along readers.
Digital Reach: Online engagement, evaluated through website traffic and social media activity.
Together, these indicators give a full picture of a magazine’s true market presence. Based on these measures, the leading magazines in the United States may surprise you, both by cumulative reach (which includes circulation, readership and reach across social media, print and digital platforms) as well as website traffic.
AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin
AAPR takes the top two rankings for cumulative reach, as calculated by Magazine Live, with these two publications. Their flagship magazine has a circulation of more than 22 million and a readership of over 40 million. The Bulletin also has a circulation of 22 million and reaches an audience of more than 33 million each year.
Better Homes and Garden
This century-old magazine, which debuted in 1922, remains one of the most popular in the country with a circulation of over 3 million and a readership of more than 15 million. It is published in print monthly, but also has a thriving digital property that features a number of advice pieces and other how-to content on interior design, entertaining, gardening and more.
People Magazine
Celebrity news continues to intrigue readers, as reflected by People Magazine’s reach. The weekly publication ranks 6th in the United States with a circulation of over 2.5 million and a reach of nearly 100 million across all platforms. It beats out Us Weekly, which is the 10th-ranked based on its circulation of nearly 2 million and readership of over 8 million.
Golf Digest
This Conde Nast magazine first debuted in 1950 and was once owned by The New York Times. It is an example of the power of niche content and the audiences that it attracts. With a circulation of nearly 2 million and a reach of more than 18 million across platforms, it remains one of the most popular monthly magazines in the country.
The New Yorker
This essay-filled monthly magazine features long-form storytelling, political cartoons and happenings around New York City. It remains a popular monthly across the country, with a circulation of over 1 million and a readership of more than 6 million.
La Jolla Living Magazine
This Southern California glossy, based out of San Diego, has an impressive reach for a local outlet. It ranks first on Muck Rack’s list of popular U.S. magazines by digital reach, with more than 6 billion total visits to its website, where it hosts digital issues of the print magazine.
T: The New York Times Style Magazine
This magazine, published 11 times a year, is the glossy accompaniment to The New York Times newspaper. Focused on fashion and long-form interviews, it features beautiful photography and in-depth writing about the fashion industry. In addition to the print publication, it has an attractive website that generates more than 600 million visits annually, making it the second-most popular magazine website.
Forbes
This mainstay business magazine, which publishes monthly, has built a boisterous digital property. With nearly 170 million visitors to both its main site, Forbes.com, and its lifestyle brand, ForbesLife, the magazine is one of the most popular online destinations for business news.
Circulation and readership are only part of the equation when evaluating media opportunities for a brand. It is equally important to understand the landscape and consider what remains popular with audiences. Often the results are surprising, and driven by niche interests rather than big-brand publishers. The full list of top U.S. magazines can be found here, along with Muck Rack’s list of top magazines by digital traffic.