Google Rolls Out AI-Powered Search; Publishers Worry About Traffic and Revenue Impact
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Google is rolling out Search Generative Experience (SGE), an AI-powered version of Search, to provide more direct answers instead of just links. This could significantly impact businesses relying on Google for traffic.
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SGE often shows multi-paragraph summaries with fewer prominent links compared to traditional Search results. Some publishers could face annual revenue losses up to $2 billion due to less click-throughs.
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SGE results have improved recently, with more links to sources and shorter, more conversational summaries directly answering the query. But SGE still sometimes lacks links entirely.
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SGE does not show for controversial topics demanding thorough fact-checking, like news, politics, and health. Google is moving carefully after issues with its AI chatbot.
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While links remain core to Search, SGE's success depends on people using the internet the same way. Competition from AI voice assistants and chatbots poses a threat.