Google pushes back on fears as executive calls AI powered search an expansion for web

Google responds to AI fears

Google is pushing back on concerns that AI-powered search could harm the open web. A senior search executive says the shift is not shrinking discovery but expanding how people explore information online.

The comments arrive as publishers and investors closely watch how AI tools reshape search traffic. Google says the bigger picture still shows growth rather than collapse.

Executive calls it an expansionary moment

Robby Stein, vice president of product for Google Search, described the AI shift as an expansionary moment for the internet. He said the overall size of online discovery is growing fast.

New ways of searching are opening fresh doors instead of closing old ones. Google believes this creates a long-term opportunity for the web.

Google defends outbound traffic stability

One major concern around AI search is that people might click less on outside websites, potentially shrinking traffic to publishers. Stein responded by saying that Google still sends billions of clicks to the wider web every single day.

He added that outbound traffic levels remain largely stable. Google insists AI is not trapping users inside its platform.

Publishers worry about referral traffic

Many media companies remain uneasy about the impact of AI search. Industry leaders warn that direct AI answers could reduce visits to news sites.

Referral traffic is a key source of revenue for publishers. Any sharp decline could weaken the digital news business. These concerns have intensified as AI summaries become more common, making it harder for readers to reach the original reporting.

Pew Research fuels media concerns

A Pew Research study released this year added weight to publisher fears. It found that AI summaries made users less likely to click source links.

The findings suggest that while AI search provides convenience and faster answers, it may also reduce deeper engagement with original reporting. Publishers are closely watching how AI search changes reader behavior and how it might reshape the online media landscape.

AI shift compared to mobile

Stein compared the current AI transition to the earlier move from desktop to mobile. Back then, many in advertising feared revenue would drop, and publishers worried about losing traffic.

Over time, ad formats adapted and revenues grew. Google expects AI search to follow the same path, creating new opportunities as users interact in richer ways.

Search habits are changing for users

Google says users no longer rely solely on short typed queries. Many now use their phone cameras to identify objects or ask longer, more detailed questions.

These richer search behaviors open new ways for content to appear online. Google believes this shift helps expand discovery, giving websites more opportunities to reach audiences in different ways.

Ads are expected to evolve

Stein said advertising will adapt inside AI chat experiences. He believes that when ads are matched to real user needs, they can stay helpful instead of feeling intrusive.

He gave an example of someone dealing with a raccoon problem, being shown relevant products. The goal is to make ads feel useful and supportive rather than disruptive.

OpenAI competition heats up

Stein’s comments came after reports that OpenAI declared a code red to improve ChatGPT. Competition between the two companies continues to intensify in the AI space.

Even so, Google remains confident in the strength of its search business. The company is rolling out new AI features while maintaining its core services at scale.

Shares rise on cloud growth

Alphabet shares have climbed strongly this year, supported by rapid growth in its cloud computing business. Investors remain confident as the company continues to expand in multiple areas.

This momentum gives Google more flexibility to reshape search using generative AI tools, allowing the company to experiment with new features while maintaining stability in its core business.

Antitrust ruling is not driving change

Stein downplayed the impact of a recent U.S. antitrust ruling that allowed Google to keep its Chrome browser. He said the decision does little to change how the company approaches innovation.

Instead, he emphasized that rapid advances in AI model capabilities are driving the current pace of change, shaping new tools and features for users across Google’s platforms.

AI is framed as a discovery engine

Google describes AI as a powerful discovery engine rather than a traffic killer. Stein said the company cares deeply about the future of the web.

Linking out to sources remains central to how Google says its AI search should work. If you’re interested in how creators are responding to AI’s rapid evolution, you can read more about how some are using Sora to bring their characters to life.

Conclusion on the future of AI search

Google insists that AI-powered search is meant to expand the web, not replace it. The company highlights new user behaviors and evolving ad formats as key parts of this approach.

Publishers remain cautious, closely monitoring how traffic trends develop. The shift to AI answers could reshape how audiences reach original reporting and interact with content online.

To learn more about where AI infrastructure is heading, explore OpenAI’s plans for city-sized supercomputers.

What do you think about Google calling AI search an expansion for the web? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.