Google AI summaries ruining livelihoods of recipe writers

Google AI summaries ruining livelihoods of recipe writers
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Google’s rollout of AI Mode search has intensified fears among recipe writers that their livelihoods are being undermined. Since March, Google has begun presenting AI-generated recipes that blend instructions from multiple creators into simplified, sometimes inaccurate results. In several cases, the AI has failed to distinguish credible sources from online comments, raising concerns about reliability and safety.

Food bloggers say their original, carefully tested recipes are increasingly reproduced without attribution in AI summaries, chatbots, and low-quality digital cookbooks. Because recipes themselves are not copyrightable, creators have little legal protection. Many rely on free access supported by advertising, but AI summaries now satisfy users directly on search pages, reducing clicks and ad revenue.

Some bloggers report steep traffic losses, including an 80% drop over two years, while others say their numbers remain stable for now. Critics warn that AI Mode encourages users to trust synthesized results rather than visit original sites, accelerating a decline already worsened by algorithm changes.

With limited options beyond paywalls or subscriptions, many fear the ad-supported recipe blog model faces an existential threat, even as surveys suggest growing public distrust of AI-generated content.