The United Kingdom’s competition regulator has ordered Google to give website owners more control. This control lets them manage how their content appears in AI-powered search features. The decision mainly focuses on Google’s AI search tools, including AI Overviews and other generative AI results.
UK Allows Websites to Opt Out of Google AI Search and AI Overviews Feature
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Google must allow websites in the UK to opt out. This opt-out applies to AI search features. It includes AI Overviews and AI tools in Search and Discover. The CMA called this a “world first.” It said this is the first rule of its kind for a major search engine. The move follows a proposal made by the regulator in January.
Google AI Overviews and Publisher Content Concerns Over Traffic Loss
Many publishers, especially news organisations, have raised concerns about AI systems using their content without permission or payment. They claim AI-generated summaries decrease visits to original sites, cutting traffic and ad revenue. Lower site visits mean less money for owners. Google said websites may lose traffic and views if they disable AI features. However, it clarified that opting out will not affect normal search rankings outside AI-based results. The company also said it is testing new tools to allow website owners to manage how their content appears in generative AI search results.
Read more: Security Backdoors Found in WordPress Plugins Used Across Thousands of Websites
Google also confirmed that the opt-out option will not affect rankings in regular search results. Mrinalini Loew, General Manager of Google Search Ecosystem, said Google is adding new controls for publishers. These controls will help them manage how their content appears in AI search features. based on findings from the AI-generated websites study. The CMA said the new rule will make the system fair for both publishers and users. It also requires Google to give proper credit with clear links in AI-generated results. CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said AI features like AI Overviews are changing online search quickly. She added that publishers must have fair control over how their content is used.
The CMA had previously given Google “strategic market status.” This was under the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumer law introduced in 2024. This allows the regulator to impose stricter rules and enforce conduct requirements to ensure fair and transparent practices. Under the new system, only selected UK website owners will get access first. They will be able to use the opt-out feature. This will stop their content from appearing in AI Overviews, AI Mode, and Google Discover AI features. This pilot will begin in the UK before expanding globally.
Google also announced new analytics tools for publishers to track impressions and performance related to AI-generated search results. The company said it is working closely with website owners. It wants to understand what data is most useful. It also plans to add more metrics in the future. Google said AI Overviews now reach over 2.5 billion users every month. It is part of its shift toward an AI-powered search system. This was shown at its recent I/O developer conference. The European Commission is also looking into Google. It checks if publishers are paid fairly. It is also checking if they can easily opt out of AI search use. The UK move is seen as important for transparency. It may lead other countries to take similar steps. It could also shape global rules for AI search. News source eTimes Pakistan.
Read more: Hackers Exploit cPanel Vulnerability to Control Thousands of Websites
