Europe 500 2025-2026
In the 29th edition of Webranking by Comprend, we have evaluated the 500 largest listed European companies on how well their corporate websites meet stakeholder expectations. This year, the companies reached an average score of 47.1 out of 100, moving down slightly from 48.4 in 2024–2025.
This year’s results highlight a continued divide between well-established communication areas and emerging topics, shaped by new regulations and stakeholder demands. While most companies excel in providing clear, foundational information about who they are and what they do, fewer demonstrate the same level of transparency when it comes to sustainability assurance, accessibility, or responsible use of artificial intelligence.
The findings show that expectations on corporate communication are evolving rapidly. As the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the EU AI Act, and the European Accessibility Act come into force, companies are being challenged to present complex information in a clear, accessible, and trustworthy way. Those who succeed will not only meet compliance requirements but also have the opportunity to strengthen credibility and stakeholder trust in an increasingly volatile business landscape.
47.1/100
Average score 2025-2026
48.4/100
Average score 2024-2025
Key findings
- Strong fundamentals: The "About us" section remains the best-performing area, as most companies effectively present their mission, vision, business areas, and market position. Clear corporate storytelling continues to be a strength across Europe's largest listed companies.
- Accessibility shows a slight improvement: Accessibility performance has improved slightly, with 42% of companies publishing accessibility statements (up from 35% last year) and 79% achieving the highest Accessibility Cloud ratings.
- Evolving communication on AI and sustainability: While 79% of companies present information on how emerging technologies like AI affect their business, only 66% provide more detailed insights such as dedicated articles or case studies. Just 12% disclose their approach to ethical AI, and a similar share communicate external assurance of sustainability data. As regulations such as the EU AI Act and CSRD take effect, more detailed and transparent communication will increasingly influence stakeholder trust and perceived leadership.
Strengths and best practices
99%
summarise how they create value for customers
Foundational information continues to drive stakeholder understanding
As seen in previous Webranking editions, the best-performing area is “About us”, where most companies successfully communicate who they are, what they do, and how they create value for different stakeholders. This content area typically includes mission and vision, business areas, market position, and target markets. High performance here reflects that companies continue to prioritise clear, accessible, and foundational corporate information that helps stakeholders quickly understand the company’s identity and role in the market.
The strongest performing section includes criteria such as providing a clear summary of how the company creates value for customers (99%), describing their main products or services (98%), and presenting their purpose, mission, or vision (96%). Many companies also outline their market position, target markets, and competitive advantages. These examples illustrate how most companies ensure visitors can quickly grasp what the company does and why it matters.
These consistently high scores indicate that companies have effectively mastered the fundamentals of corporate storytelling, clearly explaining who they are and how they create value. Another factor behind the strong results is the tangible nature of this content. Compared to other more complex topics, such as sustainability or AI governance, “About us” content is less dependent on complex regulations or frameworks. It's easier to produce and maintain, and often reuses material already developed for annual reports or corporate presentations.
98%
describe their main products or services
96%
present their purpose, mission or vision
Transparency around accessibility improves slightly
This year, we have seen some improvements in how companies address accessibility on their corporate websites. For example, 42% of the companies now publish an accessibility statement, up from 35% last year. This increase indicates that more companies recognise the importance of transparent communication around website usability and inclusion.
In addition, 79% of the ranked companies achieved an Accessibility Cloud rating of A or B, compared to 76% last year. Accessibility Cloud is a tool that assesses how well websites comply with accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1 and rates them from A to E, with A being the best. The rating is determined by the number of technical errors detected per page: the fewer errors, the higher the score. The evaluation covers aspects such as colour contrast, alternative text for images, and descriptive link text, all of which influence how accessible and user-friendly a website is.
Overall, the findings indicate that accessibility is becoming an increasingly recognised aspect of digital quality and inclusion. As regulations such as the European Accessibility Act come into effect, companies that prioritise accessible design and communicate their efforts clearly will be better positioned to meet compliance requirements and demonstrate a commitment to usability for all audiences.
42%
publish an accessibility statement 2025-2026
35%
published an accessibility statement 2024-2025
79%
achieved an Accessibility Cloud rating of A or B
Challenges and opportunities for improvement
79%
present high-level information about how emerging technologies are affecting their business
Companies expand AI communication but remain at a high level
Last year, we introduced a criterion asking whether companies present information on how emerging technologies, such as AI, are affecting their business at a high level, which 79% of companies met. This year, we have expanded the scope to include whether companies provide more detailed information, such as through a dedicated article, case study, or separate section on the website. For this more detailed criterion, 66% of the companies received a score.
Sanofi offers a dedicated website section on digital innovation and AI, featuring examples of their use, ethical principles, and a quote from the Chief Digital Officer.
66%
present detailed information about how emerging technologies are affecting their business
Responsible AI disclosure emerges as a growing expectation
Another new criterion added this year is whether companies present their approach to ethical AI use, for example, in a policy or framework that is directly presented on their website. This year, we found that only 12% of the ranked companies provided this information, leaving plenty of room for improvement.
As AI regulation in Europe evolves, particularly through the EU AI Act, expectations for more transparent and clear communication are likely to grow. According to an article from the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, investors are increasingly engaging with companies on how they identify and mitigate AI-related risks - from data privacy and bias to model governance and accountability. This shift signals a new phase where transparent AI risk management is not only a compliance issue but a factor in maintaining investor confidence.
Companies that can demonstrate not only how they utilise AI but also how they do so responsibly will be better positioned to build trust with investors, customers, and regulators. Early, proactive communication on AI ethics and governance can help companies position themselves as trustworthy innovators in the rapidly evolving European regulatory landscape.
12%
present an ethical AI policy directly on the website
12%
disclose if their sustainability report has been externally assured
Regulatory change drives new sustainability communication standards
2025 was a year of significant changes in sustainability reporting, with the first wave of large public-interest entities (those with over 500 employees) publishing their FY2024 results in line with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Although not all companies in the Europe 500 list were part of this first wave, the new requirements are already shaping expectations for transparency and accessibility in corporate communication.
Externally verified sustainability reporting
A new criterion introduced this year assesses whether companies disclose that their sustainability report has been externally assured or verified, including details such as the name of the auditing firm. In this first year, only 12% of the ranked companies received a score for this.
It is relevant for companies to present this information directly on their website, rather than only in their annual report, to ensure that key sustainability information is easily accessible to all audiences.
22%
present a materiality analysis
Double materiality assessment
Another new measuring point in this year’s Webranking is whether companies present a double materiality assessment (DMA). Listed companies across Europe are required to conduct such an assessment under the CSRD, yet few make their process visible on their website. In this year’s ranking, 22% of companies present their materiality assessment on their website, and 12% publish a double materiality assessment.
Atlas Copco has a dedicated page for their double materiality assessment, which clearly explains how the company works with double materiality and links key impacts to their broader sustainability priorities. The layout is simple, up-to-date and easy to navigate, showing how complex topics can be communicated in a straightforward way.
Together, these new sustainability-related findings show how corporate communication is evolving in parallel with regulatory change. Just as companies are expected to be transparent about AI ethics and governance, they are also being called upon to clearly present how sustainability data is verified and which issues matter most to their business and stakeholders.
The ability to communicate these elements clearly and proactively will be key to maintaining trust and leadership in the new era of corporate transparency.
12%
present a double materiality analysis
1. Poste Italiane
95.9/100 points
2. Terna
95.4/100 points
3. Snam
94.6/100 points
Top 3 - Europe 500
Poste Italiane has continued to climb and has now topped the ranking for the first time, reaching an impressive score of 95.9 points. This is an improvement of +1.8 points from last year's 94.1. The company stands out for their strong governance and investor relations information, as well as clear and timely press and share-related content. Poste Italiane's website reflects a well-integrated communication approach, where financial, sustainability, and corporate information are interlinked.
After topping last year's ranking, Terna continues to perform at a very strong level, securing second place with a slightly higher score than the previous ranking (95.3 vs. 95.4). Terna continues to stand out for the clarity and depth of their investor relations and share information, as well as for a rich and well-structured "About us" section that effectively communicates their role in enabling the energy transition. The website also demonstrates strong transparency and an up-to-date press and media area, and integrates sustainability and innovation as central, easily accessible themes.
Snam increased their score to 94.6 this year, from 93.8, holding on to their third place among the European companies. The company continues to lead the energy sector for the fifth consecutive year, demonstrating excellence in investor relations, governance, and sustainability communication. Their website offers clear access to financial information, strategic updates, and ESG content, effectively reflecting Snam’s role in driving the energy transition through transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Best climber
This year's best climber (the company that has improved their score the most since last year) on the Europe 500 list is Caixabank. Their score has improved by an impressive 10.5 points compared to last year.
Significant improvements in their careers section, along with enhanced features and functionalities, contributed to this strong result. Well done!
+ 10.5
points
Top 20 - Europe 500
| Rank | Company | Country | Sector | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poste Italiane | Italy | Insurance | 95.9 |
| 2 | Terna | Italy | Utilities | 95.4 |
| 3 | Snam | Italy | Energy | 94.6 |
| 4 | Eni | Italy | Energy | 91.8 |
| 5 | Wärtsilä | Finland | Industrial Goods and Services | 87.9 |
| 6 | Iberdrola | Spain | Utilities | 87.3 |
| 7 | Sandvik | Sweden | Industrial Goods and Services | 86.6 |
| 8 | Trelleborg | Sweden | Industrial Goods and Services | 85.1 |
| 9 | Givaudan | Switzerland | Chemicals | 84.4 |
| 10 | Valmet | Finland | Industrial Goods and Services | 83.8 |
| 11 | Kesko | Finland | Personal Care, Drug and Grocery Stores | 83.0 |
| 12 | Fortum | Finland | Utilities | 82.3 |
| 13 | Generali | Italy | Insurance | 82.1 |
| 14 | Swisscom | Switzerland | Telecommunications | 78.0 |
| 15 | Mediobanca | Italy | Financial Services | 76.2 |
| 16 | BASF | Germany | Chemicals | 76.1 |
| 17 | A2A | Italy | Utilities | 75.1 |
| 18 | Sampo | Finland | Insurance | 74.5 |
| 19 | Repsol | Spain | Energy | 74.4 |
| 20 | CaixaBank | Spain | Banks | 73.9 |
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