US publishers have filed a lawsuit against Google over its AI summary feature (AI Overviews), claiming the tool has caused a significant drop in website traffic. According to the complaint, since the feature was launched in May 2024, organic traffic to news outlets has declined by an average of 20–40 percent, as users obtain the information directly from the automatically generated overviews instead of clicking on the original articles. The publishers argue that Google has violated copyright and gained an unfair market advantage through the widespread use of their content.
The AI summary feature displays short, generated text at the top of search results, often replacing the need to visit the source article. Publishers argue that this practice undermines sustainable journalism, as advertising revenue is heavily dependent on traffic. The lawsuit, filed on 7 October 2025, seeks compensation and demands that Google change the way its AI summaries use publishers’ content. Legal experts, however, caution that under US fair use doctrine, the case may face considerable challenges.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have long-lasting consequences for the digital media landscape. If the publishers’ claims are dismissed, Google may further consolidate its dominance, making AI summaries a primary channel for news consumption. If the court rules in favour of the publishers, it could set a precedent for stronger protection of content creators against AI-driven platforms.
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Robert Diab
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