Google’s pilot for paying websites that contribute to AI-generated search answers has produced little revenue for many small and midsize publishers, according to reporting cited by Ars Technica. About 100 publishers participate in the test, which covers material used in products such as AI Overviews.
Several participants said payments equaled roughly one-tenth of one percent of their advertising revenue. Some smaller sites received less than $1,000 over several months, while another newer participant earned $50,000 to $60,000. One early publisher is reportedly on track for more than $1 million a year, showing that terms and outcomes vary sharply.
Publishers also said Google’s Search Console does not make clear what counts as a meaningful contribution to an answer, limiting their ability to predict earnings. Niche subjects with dedicated audiences, including anime and gaming, appear to perform better. Some large publishers have declined to join in hopes of negotiating stronger rates.
The pilot tests a new exchange as AI answers reduce visits that once supported advertising and subscriptions. It remains small relative to Google’s search ecosystem and does not solve the separate question of consent. Publishers that want ordinary Google indexing still lack a dedicated way to refuse AI search use, although UK regulators have ordered an opt-out and the European Commission is examining compensation.