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Google Offers Search Opt-Out for AI Features
18 Mar
Summary
- Google is developing new controls for websites to opt out of its AI features.
- The move addresses concerns from the UK competition regulator about search dominance.
- Publishers report lower click-through rates due to AI-generated overviews.

Google announced on Wednesday that it is developing new search controls, enabling websites to opt out of its generative AI features. This development addresses concerns raised by the UK's competition regulator regarding Google's dominant position in search services.
The U.S. tech giant also suggested implementing a less intrusive setting for users to change their default search engine. Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had previously designated Google as having "strategic market status" in search services, signaling potential intervention to foster competition.
Google's AI features utilize content from its search crawler. However, news websites and other publishers have seen a significant drop in click-through rates as users increasingly depend on AI-generated overviews for information.
The company stated that some proposed requirements from the CMA could have detrimental consequences for users, publishers, businesses, and its own innovation capabilities in the UK. Google affirmed its commitment to working constructively with the CMA to find practical solutions.




