How is Google's AI Mode affecting food bloggers?

Google's AI Mode synthesizes recipes from multiple sources, often devaluing original creators' work and leading to significant traffic loss for food bloggers.

Why are food bloggers worried about AI recipe generators like ChatGPT?

Bloggers fear AI generators will produce 'slop' that users conflate with their tested recipes, eroding trust in online food content and their ad-based revenue.

Can food bloggers legally protect their recipes from AI?

Recipes themselves are generally not copyrightable, leaving creators with limited legal recourse against AI content aggregation and repurposing.

Home / Business and Economy / AI Recipes Steal Bloggers' Livelihoods

AI Recipes Steal Bloggers' Livelihoods

15 Dec

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Summary

AI search modes merge recipes, devaluing creators' work.
Bloggers fear AI slop will erode trust in online recipes.
Some bloggers lost up to 80% of traffic due to AI.

Search engines' new AI features are controversially merging recipe instructions from various creators, resulting in unrecognizable and often nonsensical dishes. This practice severely impacts food bloggers who rely on ad revenue, as their carefully crafted content is presented in a diluted, unattributed form. Many fear this AI-generated content will confuse users and diminish trust in legitimate online recipe sources.

The AI's ability to synthesize information without proper attribution poses an existential threat to bloggers whose livelihoods depend on internet traffic and advertising. Some creators have experienced drastic drops in viewership, with one reporting an 80% loss. While a small segment of users distrust AI content, the convenience of AI summaries is leading many to bypass original recipe sites entirely.

Despite challenges like AI-generated content and the potential uncopyrightability of recipes, some bloggers are adapting by focusing on community building and unique content. However, the long-term viability of the ad-supported model is questioned, with suggestions ranging from subscription services to a resurgence of traditional cookbooks, though AI also impacts published books.