<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="true"><li>Updated Google AI search features like AI Overviews and AI Mode are causing a crisis in the media industry.</li><li>Major publishers have seen significant drops in traffic, with Business Insider losing 55% of referral traffic.</li><li>This trend is leading to layoffs and strategic shifts in newsrooms, with outlets investing more in subscriptions and direct reader engagement.</li><li>Google's AI updates focus on AI-generated summaries rather than traditional website links, impacting original news sources.</li><li>Publishers accuse Google of profiting from their reporting without providing proper credit, leading to legal battles and new tactics to retain readers.</li><li>Some publishers have launched paid subscriptions, improved apps, or pursued legal action against AI firms using their content without permission.</li><li>The conflict between AI firms and traditional media highlights a larger battle in today's attention economy.</li><li>Industry leaders see this issue as a pivotal moment for journalism, emphasizing the need to build reader trust and loyalty beyond search referrals.</li></ul>

Improved Google AI Search Leaves News Publishers Reeling

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