Why Are News Publishers Calling Google’s AI Mode 'Theft'?

If you're wondering why news publishers are accusing Google of “theft” over its AI search features, you're not alone. With the recent expansion of Google AI Mode—a feature that replaces traditional search results with AI-generated answers—publishers like Condé Nast and Vox Media are raising red flags. The core issue? They claim Google is using their content without fair compensation, resulting in lost web traffic and declining ad revenue. This dispute highlights a growing tension in digital publishing: how artificial intelligence is reshaping the economics of search, journalism, and online visibility.

Google AI Mode Explained: What’s Changing in Search

Unveiled during Google I/O 2025, AI Mode now appears as a default tab in U.S. search results. When users type a query, they are served AI-generated summaries, followed by traditional links. While this may enhance the user experience with faster, synthesized answers, it also bypasses the need to click through to source websites. For media outlets, this shift threatens their already fragile revenue models, especially those reliant on pageviews, display ads, and high-value keywords like digital advertising, SEO services, and online publishing monetization.

Publishers Fight Back: A Case for Digital Content Rights

The News/Media Alliance—which represents major U.S. publishers—condemned AI Mode as “content theft.” In a statement, CEO Danielle Coffey said, “Links were the last redeeming quality of search that gave publishers traffic and revenue. Now Google just takes content by force with no return—the definition of theft.” The group is calling on the Department of Justice to intervene, arguing that Google's practices could reinforce its monopoly over the digital advertising ecosystem and search engine market.

Google's Response: Too Complex to Customize Opt-Out Options

According to documents surfaced during Google’s ongoing antitrust trial, the tech giant decided against seeking permission from publishers before incorporating their content into AI-generated search results. Instead, outlets must opt out entirely—removing themselves from all search features, not just AI Mode. Liz Reid, Google’s head of Search, testified that offering opt-out controls for individual features would create “enormous complexity.” Critics argue that this approach forces publishers into an all-or-nothing decision, sacrificing visibility for the sake of protecting their intellectual property.

What This Means for the Future of AI, Search, and Journalism

As AI search tools continue to evolve, the debate over fair use, data licensing, and digital media sustainability will intensify. While Google defends its innovations as user-focused and efficient, publishers argue that these advancements come at the cost of journalistic integrity and business viability. The battle lines are clear: tech companies prioritize AI-driven engagement, while media organizations push for compensatory frameworks and content control.