Why an AI 'Death Spiral' Threatens the Internet

For decades, publishers depended on search engines to send readers to their websites, where advertising helped fund the creation of online content. But the rise of AI-powered search is changing that model. Researchers like Rand Fishkin say “zero-click” searches are increasingly keeping users inside platforms rather than sending them to publishers, while Rutgers professor Caitlin Petre warns that falling traffic could threaten the long-term economics of journalism and content creation. Yet some large publishers are adapting. People Inc. CEO Neil Vogel says his company has offset declining search traffic through brand diversification, social media distribution, licensing agreements, and paid partnerships with AI companies. The broader question is whether the internet can continue producing the content AI depends on if fewer creators are paid for their work. -------- More on Bloomberg Television and Markets Like this video? Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss any videos from Bloomberg Markets & Finance: https://tinyurl.com/ysu5b8a9 Visit http://www.bloomberg.com for business news & analysis, up-to-the-minute market data, features, profiles and more. Connect with Bloomberg Television on: X:   / bloombergtv   Facebook:   / bloombergtelevision   Instagram:   / bloombergtv   Connect with Bloomberg Business on: X:   / business   Facebook:   / bloombergbusiness   Instagram:   / bloombergbusiness   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bloombergbusi... Reddit:   / bloomberg   LinkedIn:   / bloomberg-news   More from Bloomberg: Bloomberg Radio:   / bloombergradio   Bloomberg Surveillance:   / bsurveillance   Bloomberg Politics:   / bpolitics   Bloomberg Originals:   / bbgoriginals   Watch more on YouTube: Bloomberg Technology:    / @bloombergtechnology   Bloomberg Originals:    / @business   Bloomberg Quicktake:    / @bloombergquicktake   Bloomberg Espanol:    / @bloomberg_espanol   Bloomberg Podcasts:    / @bloombergpodcasts