UK Regulator Orders Google to Allow Websites to Opt Out of AI Search, a Global First
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on June 3 that it has ordered Google to allow website owners in the UK to opt out of having their content used by Google's AI search features, calling it a 'global first'. This move addresses media concerns about uncompensated content use and traffic loss. Google stated it will begin testing new control tools for website owners to manage content display in AI search.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 19:08
- 🔍 Collected: June 3, 2026 at 19:19 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 16:32 (69h 13m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, London, June 3, Combined Foreign Reports) The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced today that it has ordered Google to allow website owners in the UK to choose not to have their content used by Google's artificial intelligence (AI) search features, calling this a 'global first'.
According to AFP, website publishers, especially media outlets, argue that AI models are using their content without compensation.
They also point out that AI-generated summaries reduce the number of times users click on the original web pages, leading to decreased website traffic and subsequently affecting advertising revenue.
Google stated today that websites that opt out of AI search will not receive traffic or exposure from its generative AI features.
Mrinalini Loew, General Manager of the Google Search Ecosystem, responded to the UK's new opt-out rule in a statement: 'Today, we will begin testing new control tools that allow website owners to manage how their links and content appear in generative AI search features.'
The CMA noted that this rule 'will create a fairer deal for content publishers and consumers.'
The CMA added that Google must also ensure that content sources are properly attributed with clear links in AI-generated search results.
Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said in a statement: 'As features like Google's AI Overviews rapidly reshape online search, it is vital that content publishers, such as news organizations, have appropriate bargaining power over how their content is used.' (Editor: Hung Pei-ying) 1150603
According to AFP, website publishers, especially media outlets, argue that AI models are using their content without compensation.
They also point out that AI-generated summaries reduce the number of times users click on the original web pages, leading to decreased website traffic and subsequently affecting advertising revenue.
Google stated today that websites that opt out of AI search will not receive traffic or exposure from its generative AI features.
Mrinalini Loew, General Manager of the Google Search Ecosystem, responded to the UK's new opt-out rule in a statement: 'Today, we will begin testing new control tools that allow website owners to manage how their links and content appear in generative AI search features.'
The CMA noted that this rule 'will create a fairer deal for content publishers and consumers.'
The CMA added that Google must also ensure that content sources are properly attributed with clear links in AI-generated search results.
Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said in a statement: 'As features like Google's AI Overviews rapidly reshape online search, it is vital that content publishers, such as news organizations, have appropriate bargaining power over how their content is used.' (Editor: Hung Pei-ying) 1150603