Google Says Opting Out Of AI Overviews Is A Huge Engineering Project

"We've heard the need for more controls and we've heard that pretty consistently, controls on how news content appears on search, and we have a set of proposals from the authority in the UK. What I can tell you at this stage is that we're exploring more granular controls. Because AI is integral to how search works, implementing the new controls is a complex engineering, huge engineering project, and we have been highly intentional in our approach."

"We also understand that to allow you to make informed decisions about search AI features you need more information, and measuring users' engagement is key to that. We hear you, and we hear you loud and clear."

"overall traffic referrals from search have actually not decreased based off of our internal data. But what is happening is the sources that that traffic referral is going to are more disparate. But what actually might be happening is it's because some of that traffic is now going to emerging news sources that might be more relevant in certain contexts."

Google is exploring granular opt-out controls to let sites prevent inclusion in AI-powered search features such as AI Mode and AI Overviews. Implementation of those controls constitutes a large and complex engineering effort with a focus on simple, scalable tools for content management. Controls are intended to block use by AI search features without impacting core search functionality. Additional information and user engagement metrics are planned to help publishers make informed choices. Internal data indicates overall search referral traffic has not declined, though referral destinations are more disparate and some traffic is shifting to emerging news sources. Plans also include further details on Preferred Sources.

Read at Search Engine Roundtable