Publishers Consider Blocking Google's AI Overviews

New research from Search Engine Land reports that roughly one-third of publishers are considering blocking Google's AI-powered search features, including AI Overviews, amid fears of declining referral traffic. The survey details publishers' economic concerns — potential 20–60% drops in Google-referred visits, attribution and compensation disputes — and notes technical opt-outs like robots.txt, paywalls, and direct-audience strategies as emerging responses.