Google Tests Pay-Per-Use AI Licensing for Publishers

Google is quietly testing a pay-per-use AI licensing program for publishers. The pilot, accessible via Search Console, pays publishers when their content contributes to AI-generated responses in Gemini and AI Overviews. Google confirmed it is an early-stage learning pilot. Dozens of publishers have been approached, with small and mid-sized outlets showing more interest. Some publishers describe the payout calculation as a "black box" and the early returns as "peanuts" relative to ad revenue.