Gen AI search that provides answers so users don't have to click on links may work fine for vendor or government sites. But what about journalism sites? What is the incentive for media sites to keep posting new information online if humans will never visit? What is the business model that makes sense for people to keep producing and publishing news on the Web?
Digital publishing of free content is already a very poor business model. Only a few very large companies can earn enough through ad placement alone to sustain a significant business. Granted, this concentration isn't that different from other media channels, though maybe for different reasons. Publishing combined with subscription revenue or another income driver is generally better. What that does for AI assistants is unclear.
What will be interesting regarding ads is that this search will not be structure like traditional search so placing ads will be challenging. Instead of influencing buyers from a known starting point (where they place their ad) they will need to align to consumer (searcher) intent. That is anathema to modern marketing "professionals"
Gen AI search that provides answers so users don't have to click on links may work fine for vendor or government sites. But what about journalism sites? What is the incentive for media sites to keep posting new information online if humans will never visit? What is the business model that makes sense for people to keep producing and publishing news on the Web?
Digital publishing of free content is already a very poor business model. Only a few very large companies can earn enough through ad placement alone to sustain a significant business. Granted, this concentration isn't that different from other media channels, though maybe for different reasons. Publishing combined with subscription revenue or another income driver is generally better. What that does for AI assistants is unclear.
What will be interesting regarding ads is that this search will not be structure like traditional search so placing ads will be challenging. Instead of influencing buyers from a known starting point (where they place their ad) they will need to align to consumer (searcher) intent. That is anathema to modern marketing "professionals"
It will definitely be the Netflix model. Ad-based page and ad-free page options maybe with additional “intelligence”. Most will opt for free.