While most local news outlets are dying, Onward State—a student-run blog serving Penn State's 100,000+ campus community—is thriving. With 300k monthly visits and $12M in revenue, this isn't just a college paper; it's a media empire built on hyper-local dominance.

"They don't chase trends—they own a 100,000-person campus with 300k monthly visits. That's not media; that's a monopoly."

The real genius is their dual traffic strategy: 42% organic search captures the casual fan, while 47% direct traffic proves deep loyalty. This isn't a content farm—it's a habit. Students, alumni, and locals check Onward State first, ESPN second. That's the kind of moat that generates $12M in revenue.

• Hyper-local focus with campus-level granularity
• Student-run authenticity meets professional structure
• Dominates search for 100+ Penn State-related keywords
• Built-in audience of 100,000+ students, faculty, and alumni