Google rejected giving publishers more choice to opt out of AI Search
1 min read
Summary
An internal document from Google Search executive Chetna Bindra, released during the US antitrust trial into Google’s online search monopoly, has revealed that the company was considering offering publishers more refined control over how their website data would be used in AI Search features, rather than the simplified choice they eventually received.
The document reveals that Google believes access to its search engine data gives it a vast advantage in AI development over competitors such as OpenAI and figures from Perplexity.
However, its AI Overviews and AI Mode features can be detrimental to the websites they source content from by reducing click-through rates and incentivising publishers to opt out of AI summaries and related features.
The document also reveals that following the roll out of AI Overviews in 2023, Google adjusted its approach, making it more difficult for publishers to opt out of the training of AI models.