Recent data from YouGov Profiles shows that American adults split their magazine reading almost evenly between online and print formats but the way they engage differs by age. While overall reach is similar, digital editions attract a larger share of weekly readers among adults under 55, whereas print editions draw more monthly readers among those 55 and older.

Across the total population, 32% say they read a digital magazine at least once a month, compared to 30% for print. Daily readership is rare in both cases, with just 6% engaging with online editions daily and 4% doing the same in print. However, when looking at “weekly or more” readership, a key metric for marketers seeking habitual audiences – digital formats lead (22% weekly+) compared to print (17% weekly+).

Among adults aged 25-34, a quarter (26%) read online editions weekly or more, compared with 19% who do so in print. The pattern holds for 35-44 age group (25% weekly+ online vs. 17% in print) and 18-24 (20% vs. 14%).

For Americans aged 55+, the gap between weekly digital and print readership is small (18% vs. 17%), but print’s monthly-plus reach surpasses digital’s (34% vs. 28%). Among adults aged 45-54, monthly print readership also slightly outpaces digital. This pattern positions print as a viable channel for reaching older audiences on a consistent, if less frequent, basis.

Regardless of age, roughly half of American adults say they don’t read magazines at all – 49% for online editions and 50% for print. Non-reading is most common among adults aged 18-24 for both formats (53% online, 56% print) and least common among 55+ for print (47%). For advertisers and publishers, this means the active magazine audience is selective, making targeting even more critical.

The data suggests that while overall reach for digital and print magazines is nearly equal, the choice of format matters depending on the target demographic and desired frequency of engagement. Digital editions deliver a more regular audience among adults under 55, while print editions retain a strong foothold with older, monthly readers.