Course correction: Google to link more sources in AI Overviews

While most of the newly announced AI features will be rolling out soon, Google is still looking for partners to support one of them. Google is looking for publishers who are interested in testing a new form of subscription integration. The company says that your favorite websites should appear more prominently in AI search, so it is trying to do this in AI Overview and AI Mode. This feature will use the API to link a reader’s subscription to a website to their Google Account. Google says initial testing has shown that when websites with memberships appear as links in AI answers to users, they are more likely to click through. Interested publishers are invited to fill out a form to receive more information.

Live on the web, die on the web

Google does not accept the conventional wisdom that AI search is driving down website traffic. However, various analyzes have shown that the chatbot is preventing users from leaving Google’s platform. This may be fine for Google right now, but Gemini only works as a search product if it has a vast sea of ​​online data to summarize. As websites feel the pressure of reduced traffic (and advertising revenue), there may be less content available.

Google should also be aware that growing AI response goes beyond existential threats to the web – it’s also an immediate legal liability. Publishers, artists and authors have filed lawsuits against the company alleging that Gemini is using their content illegally. Penske Media alleges that searching with AI overviews can reduce clicks by up to 90 percent. Meanwhile, Google is under increased scrutiny in Europe now that the Digital Markets Act is in full effect, which could force it to create AI overview opt-outs for websites.

These changes may represent somewhat of an improvement for Google after AI tools created too many zero-click searches. However, it’s not clear whether adding more external links to AI answers will get the job done.