.Com TLD ksl.com

ksl.com

November 18, 2025

What is KSL.com

KSL.com is a digital media site based in Utah. It describes itself as “Utah’s largest local news source,” offering breaking news, sports, weather, and classifieds. (KSL.com)
It is part of Deseret Digital Media (DDM), which handles digital assets of Deseret Management Corporation — a company that is tied to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). (Wikipedia)
So KSL.com is not just a standalone news site; it has institutional backing and a clear relationship to local media and religious/organizational ownership.

Key Features & Services

Here are some of the major features of KSL.com:

News Coverage

  • The site covers local Utah news (politics, crime, business, education) as well as national/international items with Utah-angle relevance. (KSL.com)

  • Also includes sports and weather, which are major facets. For example, it has a dedicated weather section. (KSL.com)

Classifieds

  • There’s a classifieds portion: vehicles, real estate, jobs, pets, services in Utah and nearby regions. Through the site you can access listings.

  • The classifieds feature has faced scrutiny (see section below).

Mobile Apps & Alerts

  • They offer mobile applications (Android and iOS) enabling push notifications for major news, traffic, weather updates. (Google Play)

  • Social media presence as well (e.g., Instagram) where they publish snippets and hooks for articles. (Instagram)

Background & Ownership

Understanding who owns and operates KSL.com helps in assessing its perspective and role.

  • KSL.com is operated by Deseret Digital Media, formed in 2009 to handle digital operations of DMC’s media holdings. (Wikipedia)

  • Deseret Management Corporation is the parent company, which is affiliated with the LDS Church. That means the ownership is not purely independent commercial journalism; there is a values/organizational dimension. (KSL.com)

  • The site is affiliated with the broadcast station KSL‑TV (Salt Lake City) but KSL.com operates as a separate digital news destination. The station has its own complexities (see Wikipedia pages). (Wikipedia)

Strengths

Here are areas where KSL.com tends to perform well:

  • Local Focus & Reach: Because it’s targeted at the Utah market, it can deliver local news faster or in more depth than a national site might.

  • Multiple Platforms: Website, app, social media – helps reach users on various devices.

  • Weather & Classifieds: These functions serve practical user needs (weather being especially important in some Utah conditions; classifieds being useful for local buying/selling).

  • Institutional Backing: Having a parent company gives the site resources and stability compared with some smaller independent outlets.

Weaknesses & Criticisms

It’s important to be aware of some of the downsides or issues people have raised.

  • Potential Bias / Ownership Influence: Because the site is owned by an organization linked to the LDS Church, some readers might question whether editorial content is influenced by organizational values or constraints.

  • Classifieds Scams / Cookie/Ad Issues: Some users have reported problems. For example, a Reddit thread:

    “The KSL website is infested with scams and cookies. … OP’s browser hijacked. So if you’re looking for a used car, probably avoid the KSL website for ...” (Reddit)
    That suggests there are concerns about the user experience and safety of the classifieds section.

  • Regional Limitation: For people outside Utah or with interests outside the region, the site may be less relevant compared with national/international outlets.

  • Commercial Pressures: As with many digital news operations, balancing revenue (ads, classifieds) and editorial integrity may pose challenges.

Why It Matters

Here are reasons someone might care about KSL.com:

  • For residents of Utah (or nearby states), it’s one of the go-to sources for day-to-day news and updates.

  • It represents a model of regional digital news media connected to legacy media (broadcast + radio) and organizational funding.

  • For researchers or media analysts, it’s a case study of how faith-affiliated media organizations operate in a mainstream news segment.

Key Takeaways

  • KSL.com is a major local news + classifieds site in Utah, part of an organization tied to the LDS Church.

  • It offers news, weather, sports, classifieds, apps and alerts — strong local utility.

  • It has advantages in local reach and resource backing but faces criticisms around classifieds safety/cookies, potential bias, and regional relevance.

  • For Utah-centric users it’s highly relevant; for others, its value is more limited.

FAQ

Q: Is KSL.com free to use?
A: Yes — the website is free to access for most content. There may be ads. Classifieds may involve fees for posting.

Q: How reliable is its journalism?
A: It is a well-established regional news outlet with professional staff. But like all outlets, readers should maintain critical thinking; ownership ties and regional focus may affect how stories are framed.

Q: Can I post in the classifieds safely?
A: Caution is advised. As noted by users, there have been reports of scams or issues. Always vet sellers, meet in safe public places, check credentials, and follow standard online-marketplace safety practices.

Q: Does KSL.com cover national/international news?
A: Yes — it has some national/international coverage, but its primary emphasis is on Utah and nearby states.

Q: How do I get alerts from KSL.com?
A: You can download their mobile app (Android and iOS) and enable push notifications for breaking news, weather, traffic etc. (Google Play)

Q: Is KSL.com affiliated with a TV station?
A: Yes — its roots are tied to KSL-TV (Salt Lake City) and other broadcast assets under the same corporate umbrella. The website is part of the digital side of that media ecosystem.