Google reportedly tests paying publishers for AI search results

<figure> <img alt="An illustration of the Google logo on a black, green, and blue background." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge " data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/STK093_GOOGLE_B.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Google has launched a pilot program that pays publishers for their contributions to its AI-powered search features, according <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/google-paying-100-digital-publishers-ai-overviews">to a report from <em>The Information</em></a>. The pilot program reportedly includes around 100 publishers and comes as Google faces scrutiny over the<a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/773928/google-open-web-rapid-decline"> impact of its AI features</a> on web traffic.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://digiday.com/media/google-rolls-out-pay-value-ai-licensing-program-to-publishers/"><em>Digiday</em> first reported on the pilot program</a>, which began less than a year ago. As part of the test, Google is reportedly paying participating publishers for how much their content contributed to AI Overviews and AI Mode in Search, as well as its Gemini chatbot. One publisher that joined the program when it first started earned over $1 milli …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1002665/google-paying-publishers-ai-search-features">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>