Independent publishers across the European Union have stepped forward with a formal complaint to the European Commission over Google’s AI Overviews. They argue that by summarising their content without permission, Google is not only cutting into vital website traffic but also impacting their revenue. For anyone who’s relied on steady search traffic, this loss is all too real.
Backed by groups like Foxglove Legal and the Movement for an Open Web, these publishers are urging for swift action. They point out that choosing to opt out of the AI feature effectively sidelines their content from Google Search—a platform crucial for reaching audiences in today’s digital landscape.
Google’s AI Overviews pull key details from articles to deliver short, direct answers within search results. While this might seem convenient, it means fewer readers are led back to the original content, leaving publishers feeling shortchanged both in exposure and revenue.
This complaint is a clear call for balance. As digital innovation continues at pace, platform providers and content creators alike must work together to ensure that technological progress doesn’t come at the expense of fair compensation and visibility for creative work.
