Google's early attempt to pay websites for AI answers is struggling

Google's move to AI-powered search has dramatically altered how the world's leading search engine sources web traffic, causing discontent among publishers of all sizes. In recent months, the company has tested paying publishers for their content's inclusion in AI-generated answers, but new reports suggest the compensation in this pilot program is insignificant.

This has left publishers participating in the program, as well as those observing from outside, feeling doubtful. According to The Information, Google has accepted around 100 publishers into the AI contribution pilot. The proposal is that websites could receive money from Google when their content significantly contributes to Gemini-powered search results, such as AI Overviews.

Google has traditionally opposed direct payments to publishers, asserting that websites earn traffic by allowing Google bots to extract their content for use in search and knowledge graph tools. However, in the era of AI, this dynamic is changing, which is why the company initiated the AI pilot. To date, publishers have not been receiving much for their efforts.

The Information reports that publishers involved in the program have heard from Google that their AI payments are negligible, amounting to about one-tenth of one percent of their advertising revenue. These payments have been so disappointing that some larger publishers have reportedly declined to join the program. These publishers aim to deter Google from offering a more favorable deal by choosing not to participate in the pilot.