Google’s new AI-powered search mode (AI Mode), which was introduced in the US this week, has received harsh backlash from major news organizations in the country. The system, which presents search results directly to the user and pushes traditional link redirects to the background, has been described as “theft” on the grounds that publishers lose revenue and visibility.

Google’s AI Mode feature has been criticized

News/Media Alliance CEO Danielle Coffey stated in a statement that this new feature uses content without any permission from publishers. Coffey said, “Links were the last savior feature of search that provided traffic and revenue to publishers. Now Google is forcibly taking content and using it without any return, which is the definition of theft.”

These statements have opened up discussions on the effects of Google’s strategy to make AI more effective in search services on publishers. The company, with AI Mode, which it announced at the I/O 2025 event, allows users to access a lot of information without clicking on websites.

However, publishers state that this system significantly reduces site traffic and directly affects ad revenues. Following this development, documents released to the public revealed that Google did not obtain prior permission from publishers for the use of content in AI search results.

If publishers do not want their content to be included in AI features, they are forced to completely remove themselves from all search results. This means either giving up visibility or agreeing to the use of their content without permission.

Google claims that it facilitates access to information with this feature. So what do you think about this issue? You can share your views with us in the comments section below.