Google Pays Media Outlets for Content Used in AI Search

Google is running a pilot program that pays media outlets for content used in its AI-powered search services. According to The Information, about 100 publishers are participating in the program.

The pilot program reportedly began less than a year ago. Google makes payments based on the contribution publishers’ content makes to its AI Overviews, AI Mode and Gemini services. Thus, the extent to which content is used in the company’s AI services is one of the factors taken into account when determining the payment amount.

According to The Information’s sources, one of the publishers that joined the program at an early stage earned more than 1 million dollars over the course of a year. Another publisher that joined the program several months ago received a payment of between 50-60 thousand dollars.

Google’s move comes as discussions intensify over AI-powered search engines reducing internet traffic to media outlets. In traditional search, users select one of the results and visit the website where the information is published. In AI-powered search, however, the answer can be presented directly on the search page, potentially reducing the need for users to visit the original source.

Publishers say this could lead to a decline in website traffic and, consequently, advertising and subscription revenue. In this regard, Google’s content payment program stands out as a test of a new compensation model for the use of media outlets’ material in AI services.

Google’s AI-powered search features are also drawing the attention of regulators in various countries. The source reports that Google has been required in the United Kingdom to give publishers the option to prevent their content from being used in AI-powered search features.

The impact of Google’s AI features on website traffic is also being investigated in the European Union. At the same time, requirements for the company to treat third-party services fairly and without discrimination in search results are also on the agenda.

The current program is in the pilot stage, and it is unclear whether Google will expand it in the future to include more media outlets. Nevertheless, the participation of about 100 publishers and the amounts paid to some participants indicate that a payment model for professional content used by AI systems is beginning to take shape.