NewsBite analysis · AI, RegulationThe Economic Times

Google must let UK publishers opt out of AI search under new rules

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK has introduced conduct requirements under its digital markets regime that allow publishers to opt out of Google’s AI-powered search features. This includes blocking content from powering AI Overviews and AI Mode, and ensuring publishers’ content is properly attributed in AI-generated results. Opting out would reduce traffic from AI-derived summaries for those publishers, while traditional search results remain unaffected. Google has said it will provide new resources and controls for site owners and will increase the number of links in AI responses to improve attribution. The CMA’s move comes as part of its broader push to curb dominance in search and to secure fairer terms for publishers. The changes aim to bolster trust and transparency in how content is used by AI systems, and may influence how other regulators view the application of AI to search and content usage. In the near term, publishers may gain bargaining power and greater control over AI exposure, while Google faces heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential shifts in traffic patterns stemming from opt-out usage.