| Mobile Web

Publishers lose traffic as Google AI search keeps users from clicking news links

As Google expands AI-powered search features, online publishers are seeing fewer visits from search results. Critics say AI Overviews and AI Mode shift search from link lists to AI summaries, letting users get answers without opening original articles. Data show search traffic has fallen at major outlets, and some publishers report steep drops in click-through rates. Google disputes the claims and says clicks are stable and broader across sites. Publishers are pursuing legal action and changing distribution strategies.