Google’s AI Summaries Slash News Sites’ Clickthrough Rates by Over 50%
Research has revealed that Google’s AI Overviews, which directly inform users, significantly reduce traffic to news websites. According to the study, websites previously ranking first in search results experienced around a 79% decline in visitors. Media organizations and civil society groups in the UK argue that this situation threatens independent journalism and access to quality information, accusing Google of violating competition laws and using journalists’ content without compensation to boost its profits. Google has rejected these claims, stating that AI Overviews enhance user experience and do not decrease overall internet traffic.