Google Changes Search Formula, Raising Fears for 86.47% of Web Traffic
Updated
Updated · kottke.org · Aug 6
Google Changes Search Formula, Raising Fears for 86.47% of Web Traffic
3 articles · Updated · kottke.org · Aug 6
Summary
Google’s product changes are fueling media fears that search referrals could largely disappear, threatening publishers that depend on Google-driven audiences.
The concern centers on Google replacing traditional search results with AI-style answers, which critics say keep users on Google instead of sending them to outside sites.
Publishers and web writers are already discussing alternatives such as Kagi and DuckDuckGo, though some say Google still performs better for certain queries.
The anxiety reflects a broader shift in how people find information online, with media outlets questioning whether the old search-traffic model can survive.