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2h ago

Google’s AI Mode Faces Accusations of Content Theft from U.S. News Publishers

Publishers call for DOJ intervention as Google’s AI-powered search tools disrupt traffic, revenue, and content control.

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Google
As Google tests weaving ads into its new AI Mode online search it remains to be seen how well marketing messages will be clearly and smoothly worked into results

Overview

  • Google's AI Mode, now available to U.S. users, provides direct AI-generated answers, reducing reliance on publisher links for information.
  • The News/Media Alliance, representing over 2,000 publishers, has labeled the feature as 'theft,' citing significant losses in traffic and revenue.
  • Internal documents from Google reveal the company avoided seeking publisher consent for AI Mode content inclusion, offering only the drastic option of opting out of Search entirely.
  • Publishers report traffic drops of up to 40% and project annual industry revenue losses of up to $2 billion due to AI Overviews and AI Mode.
  • Google plans to monetize AI Mode with ads, including sponsored links and location-based suggestions, further altering revenue flows for publishers.