News app screenshots with a serif headline

The headline is set in a serif typeface. Serif type is associated with print and editorial design.

From the top 98 free News apps on the US App Store, read on October 9, 2026. Screenshots are the developers’ own, shown from Apple’s servers with a link to each app.

The numbers

Apps that do it

16% 16 of 98

Screenshots that do it

15% 80 of 517

The top ten

2 of 10 against 14 of the other 88

80 of the 517 News screenshots read (15%) do this, across 16 of the top 98 apps (16%). 2 of the top ten do it (20%), against 14 of the other 88 (16%): the top ten do it about as often as the rest. Of the 23 categories read so far, News is 4th for this. It is most common in Reference (21% of apps) and least common in Navigation (0%).

12 examples from the chart.

12 of the 80 News app screenshots with a serif headline, one from each app, the highest on the chart first.

PressReader: News & Magazines App Store screenshot 4, no headline. Serif headline. — **PressReader: News & Magazines**#75 in News · screenshot 4No headline

All 80 on the wall

What these screenshots say, word for word.

The words on 40 of the 74 that carry any, as each app wrote them.

“Read, watch, chat”Substack · #4 · screenshot 1
“The app for every today.”NYTimes: US and Global News · #9 · screenshot 1
“Breaking News”Stay connected to the stories that matter.The Wall Street Journal News · #18 · screenshot 1
“AMERICA IS BACK”The White House · #19 · screenshot 1
“Your News, Your Language”Catch up on the news in Spanish, Chinese, and more.SmartNews: Breaking News · #24 · screenshot 1
“World leading journalism all in one place.”BBC: World News & Stories · #25 · screenshot 1
“Unlimited Access”All of our journalism, on any deviceThe Atlantic Magazine · #41 · screenshot 3
“Go beyond breaking news in minutes.”The Economist: News & Analysis · #45 · screenshot 1
THE WIRED APP“CONNECT TO WHAT MATTERS”WIRED · #49 · screenshot 1
The Washington Post“News happens fast. Don't miss a beat.”Washington Post: Breaking News · #56 · screenshot 1
“In-Depth Financial Analysis”Expert insights from our award-winning newsroom.Barron’s - Investing Insights · #76 · screenshot 1
“Fearless, independent journalism.”The Guardian - US & World News · #80 · screenshot 1
“Fearless Journalism.”Epoch Times: Live & Breaking · #81 · screenshot 1
“THE FREEPRESS”For Free People.The Free Press · #86 · screenshot 1
“All your subscriptions”Substack · #4 · screenshot 2
Follow Today“Breaking news and live reporting.”NYTimes: US and Global News · #9 · screenshot 2
“Trusted Journalism”Curated in one place on your news feed.The Wall Street Journal News · #18 · screenshot 2
“THE WHITE HOUSE”PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMPThe White House · #19 · screenshot 5
“4,500+ Premium Sources”Trusted news from thousands of publishers, all in one app.SmartNews: Breaking News · #24 · screenshot 2
◉ LIVE“Livestream BBC News directly from the app.”BBC: World News & Stories · #25 · screenshot 2
“New Ideas, Every Day”Thoughtfully curated by Atlantic editorsThe Atlantic Magazine · #41 · screenshot 4
“Understand the world today, and tomorrow.”The Economist: News & Analysis · #45 · screenshot 2
OWN THE EXPERIENCE“MAKE WIRED YOURS”WIRED · #49 · screenshot 2
KNOW IT NOW.“Customize push notifications to your preferences.”Washington Post: Breaking News · #56 · screenshot 2
“Market-Moving Stock Picks”Stock picks handpicked by Barron's experts.Barron’s - Investing Insights · #76 · screenshot 2
“Today's top news. A tap away.”The Guardian - US & World News · #80 · screenshot 2
“US News”National coverage by our reporters throughout the United States.Epoch Times: Live & Breaking · #81 · screenshot 2
“Read what matters.”We publish stories and commentary about the world as it actually is.The Free Press · #86 · screenshot 2
“World-class writing”Substack · #4 · screenshot 3
Explore Today“Arts, culture and lifestyle, unfolded.”NYTimes: US and Global News · #9 · screenshot 3
“Save for Later”Build a list of stories to revisit anytime.The Wall Street Journal News · #18 · screenshot 3
“Breaking News & Top Stories”Stay informed with timely push notifications.SmartNews: Breaking News · #24 · screenshot 3
“Listen to BBC podcasts and live radio.”BBC: World News & Stories · #25 · screenshot 3
“The Atlantic Games”A digital parlor of puzzles and playThe Atlantic Magazine · #41 · screenshot 5
“Step inside the newsroom with Insider.”The Economist: News & Analysis · #45 · screenshot 3
“BE THERE AS IT HAPPENS”WIRED · #49 · screenshot 4
SEE IT HAPPEN.“Watch clips of the latest headlines and top stories.”Washington Post: Breaking News · #56 · screenshot 3
“Real-Time Market Data”Track indexes, stocks, and your portfolio.Barron’s - Investing Insights · #76 · screenshot 3
“Deeply invested in sports? So are we.”The Guardian - US & World News · #80 · screenshot 3
“In-Depth Reporting”Understand comprehensive news with easy-to-read infographics.Epoch Times: Live & Breaking · #81 · screenshot 3

Top ten News apps that do it.

#4Substack6 of its 6 screenshots
#9NYTimes: US and Global News6 of its 6 screenshots

The same tactic in other categories.

Category	Apps that do it	Screenshots	Top ten
Reference	21% 21 of 100	15% 86 of 566	3 of 10
Shopping	18% 18 of 100	12% 67 of 562	1 of 10
Food & Drink	17% 17 of 100	12% 64 of 540	0 of 10
News	16% 16 of 98	15% 80 of 517	2 of 10
Finance	12% 12 of 100	9% 53 of 581	1 of 10
Medical	12% 12 of 100	11% 59 of 548	3 of 10
Travel	12% 12 of 100	10% 54 of 561	0 of 10
Health & Fitness	11% 11 of 100	8% 45 of 574	2 of 10
Lifestyle	11% 11 of 100	9% 50 of 556	2 of 10
Graphics & Design	10% 10 of 99	7% 39 of 564	4 of 10
Productivity	8% 8 of 99	8% 45 of 551	2 of 10
Education	8% 8 of 100	7% 38 of 555	0 of 10
Business	7% 7 of 100	4% 21 of 554	0 of 10
Entertainment	7% 7 of 100	4% 23 of 544	1 of 10
Games	6% 6 of 100	2% 11 of 567	0 of 10
Photo & Video	6% 6 of 100	6% 35 of 566	0 of 10
Music	5% 5 of 100	5% 25 of 550	1 of 10
Sports	5% 5 of 100	3% 18 of 558	0 of 10
Social Networking	4% 4 of 100	4% 24 of 554	0 of 10
Utilities	4% 4 of 100	4% 21 of 549	0 of 10
Weather	3% 3 of 100	2% 13 of 555	1 of 10
Developer Tools	2% 2 of 100	1% 7 of 507	1 of 10
Navigation	0% 0 of 99	0% 0 of 566	0 of 10

Serif headline, across all categories

Often on the same screenshot

Solid background69% of these screenshots, against 39% of all News screenshots
Headline readable at thumbnail size46% of these screenshots, against 27% of all News screenshots
Headline on one line28% of these screenshots, against 9% of all News screenshots
Headline under five words56% of these screenshots, against 38% of all News screenshots
Has a subline43% of these screenshots, against 26% of all News screenshots
Subline explains the headline34% of these screenshots, against 17% of all News screenshots

Questions, answered from the chart.

How many top News apps have App Store screenshots with a serif headline?

16 of the top 98 News apps (16%) have at least one, and 80 of their 517 screenshots (15%) do it. Counted from the US App Store’s top free chart on October 9, 2026.

Which News apps have App Store screenshots with a serif headline?

In the top ten: Substack (#4) and NYTimes: US and Global News (#9). Further down the chart: The Wall Street Journal News (#18), The White House (#19), SmartNews: Breaking News (#24), BBC: World News & Stories (#25) and The New Yorker (#40), and 9 more.

Should my News app have App Store screenshots with a serif headline?

The chart shows who does it, not whether it would work for your app. 2 of the top ten News apps do it (20%), against 14 of the other 88 (16%), so the top ten do it about as often as the rest. Ten apps is a small group, so read that as a description of this chart and not as a rule.

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