In this week’s digital news, publishers are losing Google organic search traffic, but breaking news traffic jumped 103% and Discover clicks are surging. Meta will be adding new location fees to ads delivered in specific regions in order to cover Digital Service Taxes and other location-based fees imposed in some jurisdictions.
A senior Google executive says the company is “not ruling out” ads in its Gemini AI app, a notable reversal from denials made just months ago. Ask Maps, a new AI-powered conversational Google Map feature, lets users ask get personalised recommendations directly on the map.
A new study reveals that Google’s AI Overviews (AIO) have triggered a 42% drop in organic search clicks. As AI-generated summaries increasingly answer queries directly on the results page, users are bypassing traditional website links, particularly for evergreen and “how-to” content. However, while standard informational traffic has slumped, breaking news and “Top Stories” have seen a 103% surge in visibility as Google avoids AI summaries for rapidly changing events. Success on the SERP landscape now hinges on appearing as a cited source within the AI summary itself or leveraging Google Discover, which has grown by 30% to become a vital new traffic engine.
Meta will add location-based fees to adverts shown in certain countries to cover Digital Service Taxes and similar charges. Previously absorbed by Meta, these costs will now be passed on to advertisers and appear as a separate line item on invoices. The fees apply when ads reach audiences in specific regions, even if the advertiser is based elsewhere. Current rates include Austria (5%), France (3%), Italy (3%), Spain (3%), Türkiye (5%), and the UK (2%). Meta says the change reflects evolving regulations. The move may also highlight its opposition to such taxes by shifting the additional costs directly onto advertisers and linking price increases to local government policies.
Google may introduce advertising to its Gemini AI app in the future. While Google previously denied plans to add ads, a senior executive has now said they are “not ruling them out”. For now, the company is testing AI advertising formats through AI Mode in Search, where ads appear separately and only when relevant. Google’s strong advertising expertise and large revenues allow it to move cautiously compared with rivals like OpenAI, which has begun testing ads in ChatGPT. Personalised features such as Gemini’s Personal Intelligence could eventually enable more contextual advertising, though Google says user data will not be sold or shared. Brands are encouraged to prepare for AI-based advertising early.
Google has introduced “Ask Maps”, a Gemini-powered feature that turns local search into a direct conversation. Instead of typing “coffee shop”, users can now ask complex, nuanced questions like, “Where can I find a quiet place for a business meeting with good Wi-Fi and vegan snacks?” The AI sifts through millions of photos and reviews to provide a bespoke recommendation and a tailored map view, effectively acting as a digital concierge for local exploration. This marks a transition from keyword matching to intent-based discovery. To stay visible on Google Maps, businesses must focus on the “data depth” of their Google Business Profile. The AI prioritises venues with detailed, descriptive customer reviews and high-quality imagery, as these provide the “signals” it needs to answer conversational prompts.
Google Maps has implemented a feature called Ask Maps that helps users plan trips and answers complex questions about locations. Powered by Gemini, it is accessible via a button up near the search bar. It works like a chatbot, so users can send follow-up prompts to refine and expand on its suggestions. Ask Maps is rolling out now in the US and India, but only on Android and iOS. Web support will come later.
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Meta’s new foundational AI model, Avocado, has fallen short on internal tests for reason, coding, and writing. It is not performing as strongly as the leading AI models from rivals like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. The model’s release will be delayed until at least May while Meta works on improving it. Meta’s leaders are already thinking about the next AI model, which will be named Watermelon.
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