Google CEO Sundar Pichai is addressing rising concerns that the company’s AI-driven search features are eroding the health of the open internet. Despite sharp criticism from publishers and media groups, Google argues its evolving search experience is encouraging deeper user engagement rather than reducing it.

Figure 1. AI Church.

Over the past year, Google has steadily introduced AI-generated summaries and conversational-style results into its search engine — now labeled “AI Mode” and “AI Overviews.” These features provide direct answers to queries, often reducing the need for users to click through to external websites. The change has sparked backlash from digital publishers, who claim they’re losing traffic and that Google is using their content without proper compensation. Figure 1 shows AI Search.

Media organizations argue that Google’s shift away from link-based results is undermining one of the last remaining benefits of traditional search — referral traffic. Some have described the new AI format as a content grab that diminishes credit, context, and visibility for original creators.

Google disagrees. In a recent interview, Pichai said the new AI tools are encouraging users to ask more complex, detailed questions and explore a wider range of information. The company reports that search queries are growing across platforms — including Apple’s Safari, where some reports suggested a historic drop in user activity.

According to Google, the nature of web discovery is evolving, not declining. The company claims it is still directing significant traffic to external sites and is indexing more pages than ever before. Google views its AI enhancements as a continuation of its mission to connect users with useful, diverse content.

Still, skepticism remains. Critics argue that while the volume of searches may be up, the number of users clicking through to websites is falling. They say this shift threatens the survival of independent publishers, whose revenue depends on page visits.

Google, however, is standing firm. Executives emphasize that AI Mode is not meant to replace publishers but to streamline how information is presented and accessed [1]. They claim users are now discovering a wider array of sources — especially for topics that benefit from multiple viewpoints.

As the debate intensifies, Google is attempting to walk a fine line between pushing AI innovation and supporting the broader digital ecosystem. The company says it recognizes its role in shaping online information and continues to refine how it sources and displays content.

Meanwhile, Google is investing heavily in artificial intelligence, which it sees as a transformative force — possibly more impactful than the early days of the internet. Executives believe AI will give rise to entirely new industries and revolutionize how people search, learn, and interact online.

For now, the tension persists. Publishers want fair compensation and sustained visibility. Google is focused on delivering smarter tools and better user experiences. And the digital landscape continues to shift — one search at a time.

References

1. https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2025/05/google-rejects-claims-ai-search-is.html

Cite this article:

Keerthana S (2025), Google Denies AI Search is Harming the Web, Claims Search Activity is Increasin, AnaTechMaz, pp.692