Publishers slam Google's AI Mode as 'theft' of their content

Google's new AI Mode for search faces criticism from the News/Media Alliance, representing major US publishers. The feature is accused of reducing publisher traffic and revenue. Google reportedly decided against seeking publisher consent for AI-generated responses, instead requiring publishers to opt out of search results entirely if they object. This approach has led to traffic drops for some publishers, raising concerns about long-term revenue impacts. A federal judge is now considering remedies to restore competition in online search.