Google Was a Lifeline for Publishers. Now Some Are Thinking of Cutting It Off.

The article says publishers are reassessing their dependence on Google as AI search features reduce clicks to news sites and weaken referral traffic. Reddit is reportedly considering whether to cut off Google’s access to its content for AI training, while other publishers including USA Today, Politico, The Economist, People Inc. and Reuters are also reviewing their arrangements. Reddit currently has a $60 million-per-year deal with Google that allows use of its material for AI model training, but executives are questioning whether continued participation is worthwhile if Google’s AI-generated answers keep diverting users away from external websites. The piece highlights growing friction between Alphabet and content providers as AI changes search behavior and threatens publishers’ monetization models.