Google will give publishers the ability to prevent their content from appearing in its AI-powered search features, following new requirements introduced by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
The company announced Wednesday that publishers will be able to use a new setting in Google Search Console to opt out of generative AI search products.
Initially, the option will be tested with a limited group of publishers in the United Kingdom before expanding globally.
What the opt-out covers
Publishers that choose to opt out will no longer have their content shown in:
- AI Overviews
- AI Mode
- AI Overviews in Discover
Google said the decision will not affect a site’s ranking in traditional search results.
The company also noted that:
- AI Overviews now have more than 2.5 billion monthly active users.
- AI Mode has surpassed 1 billion monthly users.
CMA calls it a first
The CMA described the change as a “world first.”
According to the regulator, the new rules will give publishers and news organizations greater leverage when negotiating agreements with Google over the use of their content in AI services.
The CMA designated Google as having “strategic market status” in October last year.
In January, the regulator urged the company to give publishers control over whether their content could be used:
- In AI search features.
- To train standalone AI models.
Attribution requirements
Google will also be required to provide clearer attribution for publisher content used in AI responses.
The company said it has already increased:
- Inline links within AI-generated answers.
- Website previews intended to encourage users to visit source pages.
New metrics for publishers
Google plans to provide additional data through Search Console.
Publishers will be able to see:
- Impression metrics.
- Which pages appear in AI responses.
- The countries where those appearances occur.
Google said more metrics will be added over time.
TL;DR:
Google will allow publishers to opt out of AI search features under new U.K. regulations. Websites that opt out will not appear in AI Overviews or AI Mode, though their rankings in traditional search results will remain unchanged.
AI summary:
- Google is introducing an opt-out for AI search features.
- The change follows new rules from the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority.
- Opted-out sites will be excluded from AI Overviews and AI Mode.
- Google must also provide clearer attribution and links.
- The feature will be tested with U.K. publishers before expanding globally.
