Google AI search features cut traffic to major publishers
Briefing by News4U · First published
Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode have sharply reduced search traffic to outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post and others.
The Verge reports that Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode have sharply reduced search traffic to major publishers. [1]
Traffic to The New York Times fell from 44 percent to 35.5 percent of total visits over three years, while 19 Digital Content Next members saw losses of 1–25 percent between May and June 2025. [1]
DMG Media reported click-through rates dropped by up to 89 percent between June and July 2025, and Pew Research found users are less likely to click links when an AI Overview appears. [1]
Sources
- Google’s AI search changes upended online publishing
The Verge · · Excerpt