UK regulator demands Google let publishers opt out of AI search

Editors should now be allowed to disable AI previews and AI mode.
They should not be penalized by risking loss of visibility during regular searches.
Google has nine months to implement the changes and must submit reports

The UK’s competition regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has imposed new requirements on Google now that the company has been designated as having “strategic market status” (SMS) across all UK search services.

Under the new rules, Google will have to allow publishers to opt out of having their content used in its AI-powered search features, such as full AI mode and AI previews that appear at the top of regular search results, but without being removed from regular search results.

This is an important change because previously, publishers who opted out also risked losing visibility in traditional searches.

Google faces new requirements under CMA rules

Additionally, the company will need to properly attribute publishers with links to the original source, which the CMA hopes will help consumers identify where information comes from and prove its authenticity.

Looking ahead, the Authority also required Google to submit two compliance reports within the first year to prove it is adhering to the new requirements, with the company given nine months to fully implement all changes.

“With features like AI Overviews rapidly reshaping online search, it is crucial that content publishers, including news organizations, have appropriate negotiating power over how their content is used,” explained Managing Director Sarah Cardell.

Google is not the only company facing CMA investigations, with Microsoft and Apple also subject to SMS investigations.

“We will also continue to use the unique flexibility of the UK regime to monitor and respond to future concerns as they arise and we will announce further measures regarding Google’s search activity in the coming weeks,” Cardell added.

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