Google’s AI search changes upended online publishing
What happened
Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode have disrupted online publishers’ reliance on search traffic, prompting shifts toward social media, newsletters, and subscriptions. Citing publisher reports and traffic research, Emma Roth traces declining referrals while noting Google’s claim that overall click volume remains relatively stable. Google is making source links more prominent and exploring publisher compensation, including a News AI pilot with 400 publishers.
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