Google is testing AI-generated summaries in its Discover news feed on iOS and Android, allowing users to see logos from multiple news publishers along with AI-written summaries. This change aims to address publishers’ concerns over declining traffic; however, the summaries are noted to have potential errors. Although this feature isn’t universally available yet, it represents a shift in how news is presented, with some stories now featuring bullet points summarizing the content or linking to related news. The publishing industry is grappling with this transition, as AI tools reduce the need for direct website visits. Recent data indicates a significant drop in global search traffic, with nearly 69% of news searches not leading to clicks on news sites. In response, Google introduced the Offerwall feature to help publishers generate revenue beyond traditional ad models. Despite these efforts, many publishers feel it’s too late to recover their traffic levels.
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