At first glance, it might sound unreasonable.
Asking Google to pay websites when their content appears in snippets or AI-generated answers? Really?
But here’s the problem with that thinking: what happens when Google stops sending the traffic?
Because that’s exactly what’s happening.
With AI Overviews and featured snippets, Google increasingly shows the answer right on the results page – no click required. For the user, that’s convenient. For the website that actually created the content, it’s a slow bleed.
No clicks = no ad revenue, no affiliate conversions, no product sales, no subscribers.
It’s like a store giving out free samples, but Google walks in, grabs the sample, and sets up its own booth outside the door.
Why It’s Not a Ridiculous Ask
If Google is extracting and displaying content that used to live behind a click, then websites are providing value without receiving any return. In most industries, that’s called exploitation. Online, it’s been quietly normalized.
But there’s precedent for change:
- YouTube pays creators a percentage of ad revenue.
- Spotify pays artists (however imperfectly) based on streams.
- News publishers in Australia and the EU have already negotiated (or forced) payments from Google for use of their articles.
So no, it’s not a crazy idea. It’s already happening in parts of the web.
How Could This Actually Work?
It’s not just a pipe dream. Here’s how a compensation model could be implemented:
- Opt-in licensing agreements
Websites could register with Google to license their content. If their snippets or AI answers show up without clicks, they get micro-compensated per impression or per character. - Ad revenue sharing
If ads appear alongside AI Overviews or featured answers, content creators could receive a cut – just like YouTube creators do. - Structured content attribution
Encourage or require Google to clearly link and promote the source in a way that drives traffic – not hides it. And reward sites that allow their structured data to be used in enhanced results. - Search Console visibility & payment metrics
Add a new section to Google Search Console showing how often your content was shown in a zero-click context, and what compensation, if any, was earned.
It wouldn’t be perfect, but it would be a start toward balancing power between platform and publisher.
Common Objections – and Why They Miss the Point
This idea may seem bold, and some might push back. Let’s unpack the common criticisms.
“Google sends traffic. Be thankful for the exposure.”
That used to be true. But with AI Overviews and zero-click search, users often get the answer without ever visiting the site. Exposure doesn’t pay bills – clicks do.
“The content is public. If you don’t like it, block Googlebot.”
Blocking Google means disappearing from search entirely. That’s not a real choice for most site owners. Public doesn’t mean “free to repackage and profit from without permission.”
“It’s just how the internet evolves. Adapt or die.”
Adaptation doesn’t mean surrendering value for nothing. It means advocating for a more sustainable model – one that rewards the creators behind the content AI now depends on.
Why It Matters
The internet isn’t just technology – it’s a vast ecosystem built on countless websites created by real people and businesses sharing knowledge, products, and services. These websites survive because visitors click, engage, and support them financially, through ads, sales, subscriptions, memberships, and more.
When Google’s AI Overviews and zero-click search keep users from visiting those sites, it disrupts this fundamental cycle. Without traffic, websites lose revenue and the incentive to create valuable content. Over time, many sites may shut down, reducing the diversity, depth, and quality of information online.
If websites disappear, what remains? A hollow internet, dominated by a few giant platforms recycling existing content without supporting the creators who made it. This isn’t just a problem for individual site owners – it threatens the very nature of the open internet as we know it.
In the meantime… What should you do if your website traffic and revenue is taking a dive?
With AI Overviews and zero-click searches changing how users interact with search results, many website owners are seeing less traffic and fewer clicks – directly impacting revenue. So what can you do right now to protect and grow your site?
First, focus on diversifying your monetization beyond relying solely on search traffic or Google ads. UltimateWB offers built-in features that make this easier, including listings directories, classifieds, auctions, memberships, and subscription options. You can even add your own paywalls to premium content, giving you more control over how your site generates income.
Second, consider the strategies detailed in our related blog post,
The AI Overview Era: Will Google’s New AI Steal Your Website Traffic? Solution?
This guide covers practical tips to adapt and thrive in the zero-click search era, such as creating deeper, original content, targeting long-tail keywords, building brand awareness, optimizing for Core Web Vitals, and using engaging visual and interactive elements.
The goal isn’t just to rank in search – it’s to build a site that’s indispensable, monetizable, and ready for whatever changes come next.
What strategies have you tried to maintain traffic and revenue in the age of AI Overviews? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Don’t let zero-click search limit your website’s potential. Discover UltimateWB’s powerful tools for monetization and check out our in-depth guide on adapting to AI Overviews.
[ Explore UltimateWB ] | [ Read the AI & Zero-Click Guide ]
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.