Google's AI Overviews pose a threat to independent journalism - Here's what we're doing about it

On 27 May 2025, Foxglove, Prospect Magazine, and the Independent Publishers Alliance filed a formal complaint to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) about the rollout of Google’s new AI Overviews.

This isn't just a story about search engines. It’s about the health of our media ecosystem — and whether independent journalism has a fighting chance in the age of AI.

The complaint exposes practices that are not only undermining the sustainability of our members but also crystallise the stakes as we prepare to enter collective bargaining negotiations with Google later this year.

AI Overviews: A disruptive shift

Since mid-2024, Google has introduced “AI Overviews” — automatically generated summaries placed prominently at the top of its search results. These summaries are created using the very content published by journalists and independent media outlets — yet without meaningful consent, control, or compensation.

Instead of directing users to original reporting, Google’s AI provides a packaged answer on its own platform. Readers are less likely to click through to source material, which means traffic and revenue for publishers — already under pressure — is dropping sharply.

Studies cited in the complaint show that click-through rates drop by 30% to 70% when an AI Overview is triggered. Many of our members, particularly smaller newsrooms, rely heavily on search visibility to reach readers and advertisers.

The damage from these AI Overviews is not hypothetical — it’s happening now.

Worrying research

The complaint draws on new research conducted by SEO analytics firm Authoritas, which reveals that Google’s AI Overviews are not only appearing in response to news-related search terms but are actively replacing publisher content for a significant portion of queries — up to 30% in the case of older news stories.

Even when publishers are cited within the Overviews, the visibility of their links is drastically reduced, often pushed hundreds of pixels down the page and effectively buried on mobile devices.

The submission argues that this results in a sharp decline in click-through rates, undermining the open web and creating what’s known as a “zero-click” environment, where users consume summaries generated by Google without ever visiting the source — all while publishers lose traffic, revenue, and editorial control.

What the complaint calls for

The CMA complaint is asking for immediate action, including:

• A real opt-out for publishers who don’t want their content used in AI Overviews — without being excluded from general search results.

• Transparent analytics from Google so publishers can understand the impact of AI Overviews on their traffic and revenue.

• Fair terms and compensation for any use of publisher content in AI systems.

• An end to self-preferencing by Google, where its own products are prioritised above independent publishers in search.

Why this matters to the IMA

This development strikes at the heart of the IMA’s collective bargaining agenda. As announced in April, our members have agreed to come together to negotiate directly with Big Tech — including Google — for fairer terms on data use, visibility, and revenue.

Google’s AI Overviews are not just an abstract concern — they are a perfect example of why this collective action is needed. They are built on publishers’ work without compensation; they reduce visibility for independent outlets; they bypass the open web — and concentrate power in Google's hands.

Our upcoming negotiations will seek to address these very imbalances: to ensure that AI systems using our content are subject to proper licensing, attribution, and — where appropriate — payment. The complaint filed to the CMA strengthens our case and brings urgent regulatory scrutiny to bear on the same issues our members will be confronting at the bargaining table.

A global problem — and the UK must lead

Regulators and publishers are raising the alarm and organising globally.

In the United States, the Department of Justice has launched landmark cases against Google for its market behaviour. The European Commission has issued preliminary findings of breach under the Digital Markets Act.

Australia has already forced Google into negotiations with publishers over payment for news. The UK has the tools — most notably the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (2024) — to lead in this space.

What's at stake

A functioning democracy depends on a healthy, pluralistic press. That includes big national titles, but also small and medium publishers producing high-quality, public interest journalism for local and niche audiences.

The IMA stands with Foxglove and the other complainants in demanding urgent action from the CMA. And we reaffirm our commitment to securing real accountability from Big Tech through the collective bargaining process now under way.

For updates on this issue, and to support our collective action, visit www.ima.press or contact the IMA directly.