NewsBite analysis · AI, RegulationAndroid Authority

Google will let websites opt out of AI Overviews, but it's trying to tempt them not to

Google is introducing a new opt-out control in Search Console that lets website owners decide whether their content can be used to power Google's generative AI search features, including AI Overviews and AI Mode. The change comes after the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority ordered publishers to have greater control over how their content is used by AI systems. Google emphasizes that opting out will prevent a site’s content from being used in AI responses and will not affect rankings in traditional Google Search. The toggle is initially being tested with a small set of UK publishers, with a global rollout planned after thorough testing. In parallel, Google plans to add impression and view data related to AI search features in Search Console, potentially encouraging publishers to remain opted-in as they observe the traffic AI features drive. Google notes that AI Overviews has over 2.5 billion monthly active users and AI Mode has surpassed one billion, underscoring the broad reach of these tools. The CMA’s influence illustrates rising regulatory involvement in AI-enabled discovery, and publishers will weigh the benefits of AI-powered visibility against the desire for content control and revenue considerations.