Investigation Demanded into Google’s AI Overviews
Italian news publishers are increasingly concerned about Google’s AI Overviews, urging authorities to investigate what they claim is a “traffic killer” feature that threatens the survival of many media outlets. The Italian federation of newspaper publishers, known as FIEG, has officially lodged a complaint with Agcom, Italy’s communications regulatory body, reflecting a growing consensus among European news organizations about the impact of AI on media sustainability.
FIEG’s complaint is not an isolated incident; similar grievances have emerged in multiple EU nations under the coordination of the European Newspaper Publishers’ Association, driving pressure on the European Commission to explore potential legal action against Google under the EU Digital Services Act. This legislation aims to ensure fair competition and transparency in digital services.
The AI Overviews feature, which summarizes search results in a block of text, allows users to access information without clicking through to the original sources. This practice undermines the visibility and traffic of news content, severely impacting advertising revenues and the economic viability of publishing firms. The federation argues that this approach diminishes discoverability and raises significant concerns about the diversity of media voices, which could lead to a more homogenized news landscape.
FIEG has expressed particular apprehension regarding Google’s recent development of an AI Mode, an extension that presents data from various sources as a chatbot. They suggest that this evolution not only poses a competitive threat but also risks exacerbating misinformation in a democratic context.
A recent study from Authoritas, a UK analytics company, indicated that Google AI Overviews have caused up to an 80% reduction in clickthrough rates to traditional news sites. Compounding this issue, users reportedly click on links following AI summaries only once for every 100 attempts, according to research from the Pew Research Center, further underscoring the negative impact of this feature.
In response to these criticisms, Google has contested the findings of these studies, labeling them as inaccurate and based on flawed methodologies. Despite this, the skepticism remains palpable within the publishing community, as they evaluate the ongoing implications of AI-driven changes to information dissemination.
Google AI Overviews were introduced in Italy in March 2025; the timing coincided with Italy becoming the first EU country to enact comprehensive regulations governing artificial intelligence. The new laws aim to safeguard underage users and impose penalties for harmful applications of AI technology, aligning with the EU’s ambitious AI Act.
Given the swift evolution of AI technologies, the Italian government’s recent legislation could play a pivotal role in shaping how artificial intelligence is employed within media outlets, potentially establishing standards that prioritize transparency and the protection of diverse viewpoints.