Google to Let Websites Opt Out of AI Search Features After UK Pressure

What happened

Google announced on 18 March that it is developing new controls to let website owners opt out of appearing in its generative AI search features. The move comes after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) raised concerns about Google's dominance in search and how its AI-powered summaries affect traffic to third-party websites.

AI Overviews, Google's feature that generates summaries at the top of search results, has drawn criticism from publishers and businesses who say it reduces the number of people clicking through to their sites. The new opt-out controls are designed to give website owners more say over how their content is used in those summaries.

The CMA has been investigating Google's position in the search market, and this announcement is seen as an effort by Google to address those concerns before any formal action.

What this means for your business

If your business relies on Google search traffic, this is worth paying attention to. AI Overviews can answer users' questions directly on the search results page, meaning fewer clicks to your site. The new opt-out option gives you a choice, but it is not a simple one: opting out of AI features may affect how prominently your site appears in search altogether.

For now, monitor your organic search traffic closely. If you notice a drop in clicks from Google despite maintaining your rankings, AI summaries are likely part of the reason. The opt-out controls are not live yet, but when they arrive, you will want to assess carefully whether using them is right for your business.