‘We’re still sending traffic to the web’: Google CEO Sundar Pichai responds to backlash from news outlets

Google CEO Sundar Pichai

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has responded to growing anger from news publishers who say Google's new AI-powered search feature is hurting their businesses. In an interview with The Verge, Pichai addressed concerns around AI Overviews, which provide quick, AI-generated answers at the top of search results, sometimes replacing the need to click on external links.

The News Media Alliance, representing major publishers, accused Google of “taking content by force” and called the new AI-powered search “theft.” The group said links were the last thing keeping publishers afloat and demanded government intervention.

But Pichai defended Google’s direction. “We’re still sending people to the web,” he told The Verge. “AI Overviews are designed to give more context, not take it away.” He explained that while some simple queries may be answered directly by AI, users are actually being guided to a wider variety of sources.

He also pushed back against the claim that Google is cutting off traffic to publishers. “We’ve seen this before with featured snippets. At the time, people were concerned, but in the long run, we ended up sending more — and better quality — traffic.”

Pichai admitted that individual publishers might see differences in traffic, but said the overall trend is growth. He added that Google continues to refine AI Overviews based on feedback and is committed to supporting the open web.

“There will always be debates about value exchange,” he said. “But Google has made it a priority to support the web. No other company sends as much traffic to publishers as we do.”

While the backlash is loud, Pichai insists Google is listening. “We’re engaging. We care about getting this right — for users and for publishers alike.”