Google has been quietly scaling a pay-per-use AI licensing scheme for publishers. But critics say the program looks less like a meaningful payout and more like a legal fig leaf.
The tech giant, which has steered clear of the large lump-sum licensing deals struck between other AI rivals like OpenAI and major news publishers, has been quietly testing a Search Console-based program that pays publishers when their content contributes to AI-generated responses across Gemini, AI Overviews and AI mode, according to multiple industry sources close to the situation.
Once a publisher joins the “AI contribution pilot,” they receive an extra AI earnings widget via their Search Console dashboard. This displays a monthly earnings number (with some history), though no other information on how payouts are calculated. Payments are usage-based with no upfront fee. They can opt out at any time.
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