How Google’s A.I. Search May Kill News Dead

It’s now common to get AI generated answers from Google when searching the web. The whole concept of searching Google to find actual websites is almost over.

Google does not want you to click on a link and go to a website. Instead, they're giving users as the first thing you see, an AI overview that analyzes hundreds, thousands, (possibly) millions of websites to give you an answer right there on the Google page. Convenient? Yes. User friendly? Yup. Causing news publishers to lose their minds? Absofrigginlutely.

Today our guest is Ben Smith. He literally wrote the book on web traffic. It's called Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion Dollar Race to Go Viral.

He's the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief at Semafor and co-host of the Mixed Signals podcast.

Ben helps us figure out what this fundamental change in how we use the web means for you the news consumer and what it could mean for the future of Canadaland.

Credits:

Host: Jesse Brown

Caleb Thompson (Post Production), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Fact checking by Julian Abraham

Additional music by Audio Network

Further Reading

Follow Ben Smith’s Semafor Podcast

Decoder Podcast Referenced in the Intro

What Happens to the News Business When People Stop Clicking? - The Logic

AI is Killing the Web. Can Anything Save it? - The Economist

If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime.

Sponsors:

Douglas: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today. Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer

BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.

Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit article.com/canadaland and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.