tech
January 28, 2026
Google is “exploring” letting publishers opt out of AI in Search.
At least in the UK, where the walkback comes after the country’s CMA opened a consultation on forcing Google to do just that, having given the company “strategic market status” last year. Ron Eden, Google’s principal for product management, says:
TL;DR
- Google is exploring updates to its controls to allow sites to opt out of Search generative AI features.
- This exploration is happening in the UK.
- The UK's CMA opened a consultation on forcing Google to allow such opt-outs.
- Google aims to protect the helpfulness of Search and give websites tools to manage their content.