Google’s AI Overviews Face EU Antitrust Heat: Are Publishers Being Squeezed Out?

Background: What’s Fueling the Complaint?

A group of independent publishers, under the banner of the Independent Publishers Alliance, has filed a formal antitrust grievance with the European Commission, accusing Google of using its AI Overviews feature to monopolize user attention and divert traffic away from original content creators.

Allegations at a Glance: Key Publisher Claims

• There is no way to opt out of being used in AI Overviews unless they leave Google entirely.
• Traffic loss due to “zero-click searches” has hit smaller sites especially hard.
• AI-generated summaries on top of search pages unfairly draw clicks away from link-based content.

The Legal Framing: Is This a Violation of Fair Competition?

The complaint argues that Google is abusing its gatekeeper status under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by prioritizing its own generative content above organic search results. The AI Overviews, now rolled out globally and carrying paid ads, are seen as a form of self-preferencing.

Traffic Fallout: What the Data Says

• Post-AI Overviews, “zero-click” searches surged to 69%, according to SimilarWeb.
• Monthly publisher traffic reportedly dropped from 2.3 billion to 1.7 billion visits.

These patterns, publishers argue, threaten the economic sustainability of original journalism and expert content.

Google Responds: Discovery, Not Displacement

Google claims that AI Overviews are simply enhancing the user experience and that “billions of clicks per day” are still directed toward websites. They attribute any traffic shifts to broader digital trends, not malicious intent.

International Echoes: Beyond the EU

• In the UK, a parallel complaint was filed with the Competition and Markets Authority.
• In the U.S., companies like Chegg and advocacy groups such as the News/Media Alliance have also raised alarms about AI-driven content cannibalization.

This growing wave of complaints suggests that the issue is not regional—it’s global.

Regulatory Spotlight: Digital Markets Act & Gatekeeper Rules

Under the DMA, Google must not:

• Engage in unfair ranking practices.
• Use data gathered from rivals to boost its own products.
• Deny reasonable access to tools or visibility for third-party platforms.

The EU may now consider interim enforcement measures while it investigates Google’s AI practices.

Why This Case Matters: The Stakes for Everyone

This is about more than one tech feature—it’s a test case for AI regulation, content ownership, and the future of open web discovery. 

If tech giants can summarize without sharing traffic or credit, it could undermine:

• Independent journalism
• Expert-based blogging
• Educational platforms and small content creators

What Could Happen Next?

• The EU might force Google to offer an opt-out for AI Overviews.
• It could demand labeling or clearer attribution in summaries.
• A ruling may lead to broader precedent-setting regulation in digital content economics.

Final Thought: Is the AI Advantage Fair?

Google’s AI Overviews are sleek, fast, and informative—but when convenience comes at the cost of visibility for publishers, the balance of power tips. This complaint may mark the beginning of a new regulatory era where AI summaries face the same scrutiny as search rankings once did.