Google Pays 100 Publishers for AI Search Content
Google has launched a pilot program paying around 100 publishers for their contributions to AI Overviews, AI Mode, and Gemini, with one publisher earning over $1 million.
Google has launched a pilot program that pays publishers for their contributions to its AI-powered search features and Gemini chatbot, according to a report by Digiday. The program reportedly includes around 100 publishers.
Participating publishers are paid based on how much their content contributed to AI Overviews, AI Mode in Search, and Gemini. One publisher that joined when the program first started earned over $1 million in a year, while another that joined a few months ago has earned around $50,000 to $60,000.
The pilot program began less than a year ago, as first reported by Digiday. The Verge has reached out to Google for comment.
Regulatory pressure mounts
In June, the UK ruled that Google must allow publishers to opt out of appearing in AI search features. The European Union opened an investigation into Google's AI search impact on web traffic and recently ordered it to make changes to its search engine.
Quick answers
How many publishers are in Google's AI payment pilot?
Around 100 publishers are reportedly included in the pilot program.
How much can publishers earn from Google's AI search program?
One publisher that joined when the program first started earned over $1 million in a year. Another that joined a few months ago has earned around $50,000 to $60,000.
What Google AI features are covered by the payments?
Publishers are reportedly paid based on their content's contribution to AI Overviews, AI Mode in Search, and the Gemini chatbot.