Google is paying approximately 100 digital publishers for content contributions used in AI-powered answers across its search engine and other products, according to a report by The Information.
The pilot programme marks a shift in Google’s approach to compensating publishers whose content contributes to answers generated for users.
Google has traditionally maintained that it should not pay publishers for content used to answer search queries, arguing that the questions users ask drive traffic to publishers’ websites.
However, the company’s introduction of AI-powered summaries, known as AI Overviews, has significantly reduced the amount of traffic Google Search sends to websites.
The change has fuelled widespread complaints from publishers, with some taking legal action against Google over the impact of AI-powered search on traffic to their websites.
The Information reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter, that Google’s pilot programme involves approximately 100 digital publishers.
The programme signals a change in how Google is approaching its relationship with publishers as AI-generated answers increasingly become part of its search products.
