When did newspapers become popular?

The earliest printed newspapers appeared in China during the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century. These early newspapers were called "dibao" (literally, "capital reports"), and they were mostly used to communicate government news and announcements. In Europe, the first printed newspapers appeared in the 15th century, and they quickly became popular as a way to share news and information. By the 17th century, newspapers were being published in most major cities in Europe and North America.