Politico focuses on the mechanics of politics and policy rather than general news. In the U.S., it covers Congress, the White House, lobbying, campaigns, and the people who make decisions in Washington. In Europe, Politico has a separate edition covering EU institutions, national politics, and transatlantic relations. The reporting often goes deep into legislative details and political strategy, which makes it useful for people who follow policy closely.

The site publishes daily newsletters like Playbook that have become standard reading for political professionals. Some content is free, while premium policy coverage requires a subscription. It's not trying to be a general-interest news site; it assumes you already care about politics and want to understand how decisions get made. For journalists, lobbyists, civil servants, and politically engaged readers, it's a core source.