EU publishers step up pressure over AI Overviews
The EU is investigating whether Google uses publishers’ content for AI answers without fair pay or a workable opt-out. A new French complaint adds to the case.
Five French publisher groups have filed a joint complaint against Google over AI Overviews, according to PPC Land. It is meant to feed evidence into the European Commission’s existing antitrust investigation.
What happened
The Commission opened a formal investigation on December 9, 2025. It is examining whether Google used publishers’ and YouTube creators’ content for AI features without appropriate compensation or a workable opt-out. In February 2026 the European Publishers Council filed its own complaint, arguing that opting out of AI use costs publishers search visibility they cannot afford to lose.
Google says the complaints contain inaccurate claims and that it gives publishers controls. No Commission decision has been announced. A finding of abuse could bring a fine of up to 10% of global annual revenue.
What it means for you
- Know your controls.
Google-Extendedcontrols use of your content for Gemini training and grounding, but not AI Overviews. Since June 2026 Search Console also has a separate setting for generative AI features. - Opting out has a cost. Pages excluded from AI features don’t get impressions or clicks from them.
- Document your traffic. If you are affected, compare clicks before and after AI Overviews appear for your key queries.
Use the AI robots.txt Generator to set separate rules for training and search bots.