News Media Alliance calls for FTC and DOJ Investigation of Google's Search Practices

The News/Media Alliance, a non-profit organization representing news and magazine publishers in the United States, today sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). The letter urges the government agencies to investigate Google's search practices, specifically focusing on two areas:

Alleged Misappropriation of News Content: The News/Media Alliance claims Google is misusing the content produced by news organizations within its "Search Generative Experience" (SGE) product, launched nationwide on May 14, 2024.

Potential Reduction of Competition: The Alliance expresses concern that Google's AI Overviews, generated by SGE, may reduce traffic to news websites and stifle competition in the search engine market.

SGE utilizes content from Google's search index, including original and breaking news articles, to create "AI Overviews" that answer user queries directly on Google's search results page. The News/Media Alliance argues that this discourages users from visiting original news websites and hinders publishers' ability to monetize their content through advertising, subscriptions, and affiliate links.

The Alliance further suggests that Google's practices could negatively impact the overall news ecosystem. Reduced traffic and revenue streams for news organizations could lead to a decline in quality journalism, according to the Alliance.

While Google hasn't publicly commented on the News/Media Alliance's specific allegations, the company has previously stated that AI Overviews are designed to improve user experience by providing comprehensive answers directly on Google Search.

The FTC and DOJ have not yet responded to the News/Media Alliance's letter. An investigation into Google's search practices could potentially lead to various outcomes, including:

Changes to Google's Search Algorithm: The investigation could result in changes to Google's search algorithms to address concerns about potential bias against news websites.

Increased Transparency: The investigation might lead to greater transparency from Google regarding its use of content within SGE.

The News/Media Alliance's letter raises critical questions about the potential implications of Google's use of AI in search results. Whether an investigation materializes and what its outcome might be remains to be seen.

News Media Alliance Letter to DOJ and FTC in Points

• Date: May 29, 2024
• Recipient: Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ)
• Sender: News/Media Alliance (represents news and magazine publishers in the US)
• Subject: Investigation into Google's Search Practices

Key Allegations:

• Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) misappropriates news content from publishers.
• AI Overviews generated by SGE reduce traffic to news websites.
• Google's practices stifle competition in the search engine market.

Concerns:

• Reduced traffic and revenue for news organizations.
• Decline in quality journalism due to financial strain.

Requests:

• Investigation into Google's Search Practices by FTC and DOJ.
• Potential outcomes:
  • Changes to Google's search algorithm to address bias.
  • Increased transparency from Google regarding SGE.

Concerns arose regarding the transparency of Google's search algorithms

Yesterday, concerns arose regarding the transparency of Google's search algorithms. Leaked documents suggesting a potential flag within Google's system for small personal sites, raising questions about its purpose and potential impact on search results. This follows on the heels of another piece from last year discussing the scrutiny Google faced after the "Helpful Content Update," with some small businesses experiencing ranking drops.