Magazine Publishing in America

Since the first magazine was issued in 1731, the magazine publishing industry has flourished. Backed by a market that is almost endless, it boomed to become a multi-billion dollar industry. With an appeal that is attractive, easy and personal, people are drawn to this kind of media and so as the advertisers. Consumer magazines continue to grow and to be diverse. Here’s the list of some of the most successful publications in the United States.

Reader’s Digest

Reader’s Digest is one of America’s highly successful general interest magazines. It was founded in 1922 by Lila Bell Wallace and DeWitt Wallace. Though the magazine is only roughly half the size of a regular subscription magazine, Reader’s Digest has reached a wide audience not only in America but also the rest of the world. It is published in 50 editions in 21 languages and was hailed as the best-selling consumer magazine in the United States. The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. ranks sixth in the top 25 magazine publishing companies in terms of annual revenue.

The National Geographic Magazine

The National Geographic Magazine is the official publication of the National Geographic Society and has become one of its major output since then. It features articles about science, history, archeology, and just in the recent years, travel and adventure. From its first issue in 1888, the magazine has reached readers throughout the world with thirty-two language editions. Aside from its articles, the magazine itself has been known for its photography and the trademark yellow border on its cover.

PC World

The PC World is the flagship publication of the International Data Group. It was launched in 1982 and the first issue was released on March 1983. Most of the pioneer staff of the magazine came from the PC Magazine. The magazine mainly features reviews of the different softwares, hardwares and services on the computer market. PC World is published in 51 other countries under different local titles. 

Popular Mechanics

Popular Mechanics is a magazine devoted in bringing trends and news in science and technology in the mainstream media. It was first published in January 11, 1902. In 1950s, the Hearst Corporate Communications took the magazine under its wing. Together with other prominent publications like Good Housekeeping, the Hearst Corporate Communication is one of the leading magazine publishing companies in the USA.

Time Magazine

Tme magazine’s success was its writing style. It is able to integrate in its weekly issues a range of topics, from the serious and political, to the light and popular. Its signature articles are the Time Person of the Year, and the more recent, Time 100 which features the 100 most influential people of the year. 


Despite advances in communications and technology, magazine publishing is still a thriving industry.  The onset on online advertising and publication has been one of the major competitors for its advertisers. Nonetheless, it still proves to be one of the handy and enjoyable forms of media accessible to a very large market.