Press release

Results of the Latest LAE Study Confirm: Decision-Makers Trust the Online Media of iq digital

Düsseldorf, July 2, 2025 – The results of the latest LAE study, the leading reference analysis for media usage among decision-makers in business and public administration, have been released. They clearly show: iq digital, based in Düsseldorf, is among the top marketers in this year’s LAE, thanks to its portfolio of high-quality online media such as FAZ.NET, Handelsblatt Online, DER SPIEGEL, SZ.de, DIE ZEIT, WirtschaftsWoche, and Tagesspiegel. In a challenging market environment, iq digital remains more than stable and has become a top marketer in the LAE. For decision-makers in Germany, the iq digital portfolio is of the highest relevance, as these media provide guidance and support better decision-making.

Overall, iq digital’s premium portfolio reaches 1.89 million* decision-makers across Germany, accounting for 62.8 percent of the entire LAE audience. This demonstrates that Germany’s decision-makers place their trust in the country’s major quality media. iq media also ranks among the top print marketers, reaching 1.33 million** decision-makers (44.2 percent).

The standout performer in the online media segment of the current LAE is DER SPIEGEL from Hamburg, which saw a significant 5 percent increase, now reaching a total of 1.20 million decision-makers—up from 1.18 million last year. Handelsblatt Online also delivered a strong performance, growing by 2 percent to reach 706,000 decision-makers. Tagesspiegel from Berlin recorded a 2 percent increase, reaching 329,000 decision-makers this year. FAZ.NET remains stable in terms of percentage reach at 25.0 percent, continuing to reach a quarter of all decision-makers. SZ.de also shows a stable result, with a solid percentage reach of 27.0 percent.

The LAE, published annually, is a comprehensive and authoritative resource for professional media planning targeting decision-makers in business and administration. This year’s study surveyed 3.01 million decision-makers. The LAE 2025 marks the 29th edition of the study, published by LAE e.V. in collaboration with participating publishers.

*Based on monthly users
**Based on readers per issue

About iq digital:
iq digital media marketing gmbh is the exclusive marketer for leading media brands in Germany. Its portfolio includes top-tier media in the areas of general news, business & finance, trade media, and millennial-focused content. Websites such as DER SPIEGEL, FAZ.NET, Handelsblatt Online, Süddeutsche Zeitung, WirtschaftsWoche Online, manager magazin, Harvard Business manager, and Der Tagesspiegel provide decision-makers with daily updates on all relevant topics. Headquartered in Düsseldorf, iq digital is a joint venture of FAZ Verlag, Handelsblatt Media Group, Süddeutsche Zeitung Verlag, and ZEIT Verlag. It stands for high reach in the news and business/finance sectors as well as for special-interest offerings targeting niche audiences. With a total digital reach of 32.9 million* unique users, iq digital is one of the leading marketers of digital quality media and media brands.

*Source: agma DNA, net reach / February 2025

Press contact: 
Simone Lopez Sanchez 
simone.lopezsanchez@iqdigital.de 
iq digital GmbH 
Toulouser Allee 27 
40211 Düsseldorf