EU Regulators Seek Publisher Views on Google’s AI Search Opt-Out Amid Antitrust Probe
By Foo Yun Chee
EU Antitrust Investigation and Publisher Feedback
Background of the Investigation
BRUSSELS, Sept 2 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators are seeking feedback from publishers on Google's proposal to let them opt out of AI search without affecting their rankings in search results, a questionnaire seen by Reuters showed.
The publishers' feedback could determine the outcome of an ongoing EU investigation that could result in yet another hefty fine for Google if the proposal fails to address competition concerns and publishers' worries about unfair use of their content.
Google’s AI Search Opt-Out Proposal
Announcement and Global Rollout
Google announced its AI opt-out for publishers in June, the same day the UK antitrust watchdog ordered it to allow publishers the option to stop their content being used to power its AI features.
The U.S. tech giant, which completed the rollout of the opt-out globally on August 31, declined to comment and referred to its June 3 blog post on the topic.
Publisher Concerns and AI Overviews
Its AI Overviews, which are AI-generated summaries that appear above traditional hyperlinks, have triggered EU antitrust complaints by publishers concerned about falling traffic and declining revenue.
EU Questionnaire and Publisher Response
Content of the Questionnaire
The EU questionnaire, sent out in July with an August 28 deadline for replies, asked if publishers would make use of the opt-out and the factors influencing their decision.
The document also asked publishers for their views on changes to Google's search box announced in May which included bringing AI Overviews and AI Mode into one AI Search.
Google’s Antitrust History in the EU
Previous Fines and Violations
The world's most popular internet search engine has racked up more than €10 billion in EU antitrust fines for various violations over nearly two decades.
Reporting and Editing
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
