Google’s AI Search Just Gutted News Sites – Some Lost Nearly Half Their Traffic in a Day!
You know how we all got used to Googling stuff and clicking through to news sites? Well, that’s changing fast. Google’s new AI search is basically cutting out the middleman – and by middleman, I mean actual news websites. Data from Similarweb shows 37 out of the top 50 news sites saw their traffic tank compared to last year. Some lost a crazy 40% of visitors overnight. Why? Because Google’s AI is now giving people the answers right there on the search page. No need to click through anymore. Let me explain how this is turning the whole digital news game upside down.
How Google’s AI Search Became the New Normal
Remember when those AI-generated answers in search results felt experimental? Yeah, those days are gone. Google’s SGE and AI Overviews are now front and center. Here’s the thing – they’re scraping news articles, pulling out the key bits, and serving them up nice and neat. I mean, why bother going to BBC News when Google gives you the highlights right there? It’s like having someone summarize the newspaper for you while you’re still in bed. Convenient? Absolutely. Bad for news sites? You bet.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s look at what Similarweb found:
- 37 out of 50 major news sites saw traffic drop year-over-year
- Big names like The Guardian and CNN took 30-40% hits
- It’s pretty clear – more AI answers means fewer people clicking through
Why News Sites Are Getting Hammered
News content is basically AI candy – it’s timely, factual, and easy to summarize. Google’s AI can now answer questions like “What happened in the latest Supreme Court case?” with direct quotes and context. That’s the killer part. People get what they need without ever leaving Google. Combine that with our shrinking attention spans – most folks won’t click through unless they absolutely have to.
Real World Damage
Case 1: One major American news site saw 38% fewer visitors in April 2024 compared to last year – right when AI Overviews went wide.
Case 2: Over in Europe, some publishers reported traffic drops up to 42%, according to Press Gazette.
“We’re basically writing content for Google’s AI now, not for human readers,” one editor told me. Pretty sobering thought.
This Isn’t Just About Traffic Numbers
Here’s where it gets scary. News sites make money from ads, and ads need eyeballs. Less traffic means less revenue. For smaller outlets already struggling, this could be the final nail. And there’s another angle – Google’s AI is learning from all these news articles. Shouldn’t publishers get paid when their work trains these systems? Feels like they should, but that’s not happening yet.
How News Sites Are Fighting Back
Some strategies I’m seeing:
- Tougher paywalls: If Google’s taking their content, they’re locking it down harder
- Going beyond Google: More focus on social media, email newsletters, podcasts
- Legal moves: Pushing for laws that make tech giants pay for news content
What This Means for Anyone Creating Content
Old SEO tricks won’t cut it anymore. Here’s what matters now:
- Actual engagement: Time spent on page, shares, comments – not just clicks
- Building your own audience: Email lists, social followings, anything outside Google’s walled garden
- Creating what AI can’t: Deep dives, original reporting, multimedia experiences
Where Do We Go From Here?
Honestly, I’m not sure. Google might throw publishers a bone with “Read more” links, but the damage is done. News organizations need to figure out new ways to make money – and they need to do it yesterday.
The Bottom Line
Google’s AI search isn’t just changing how we find information – it’s pulling the rug out from under the entire news industry. If publishers want to survive, they need to build direct relationships with readers. For the rest of us? Maybe it’s time to actually pay for quality journalism instead of expecting it to be free.
Source: NY Post – Business
