AI-generated summaries are shaking up the media world. Tools like Google’s AI Overviews now provide users with direct answers above the search results, resulting in fewer people clicking on news links. For publishers who rely on that traffic to generate advertising revenue, this shift is hitting hard.
The fallout is measurable. Many sites have seen a sharp drop in traffic since AI summary features rolled out. An analysis revealed that a news outlet that had once ranked first on Google lost up to 79% of its traffic when its link appeared beneath an AI-generated summary. Statistics also show that few users click the citations embedded in these summaries. What’s worse, social media platforms are dealing a further blow to journalism by pulling younger audiences away from traditional news sources.
Some publishers are trying to claw back control. A growing number of major and mid-sized news outlets have begun to block AI crawlers, which are tools that scan, scrape, and digest online content. By cutting off access, publishers hope to stop AI from using their work without permission or compensation.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片: AdobeStock
But not everyone is shutting AI out. Some publishers are choosing to work with AI firms, hoping that partnerships could lead to licensing deals or increased visibility. Others are exploring ways to optimize their content so they appear more prominently in AI-generated responses.
The shift marks a major turning point. Search engines are no longer simply guiding users; instead, they’re becoming the destination. Unless media companies can find a way to coexist with AI, they may find themselves cut out of the picture.
AI（編按：AI為「人工智慧」的縮寫）生成的摘要正在撼動媒體界。像 Google的AI摘要這類工具現在會在搜尋結果上方直接為用戶提供答案，導致比較少人會去點擊新聞連結。對於依賴那些流量來創造廣告收益的出版商來說，這樣的轉變帶來了沉重的打擊。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片: AdobeStock
負面影響顯而易見。自AI摘要功能推出以來，許多網站的流量急遽下降。一項分析揭露：曾在Google排名第一的新聞機構，當其連結出現在AI生成摘要之下時，其流量下跌了高達79%。統計數字也顯示，幾乎沒有人會去點這些摘要中附上的引用來源。更糟的是，社群媒體平臺正進一步衝擊新聞業，因為它們讓更年輕的受眾脫離傳統新聞來源。
一些出版商正試圖奪回控制權。愈來愈多大型和中型新聞機構開始封鎖AI爬蟲一一會掃描、抓取並消化網路上內容的工具。藉由切斷存取權，出版商希望能阻止AI在未經許可或沒有報酬的狀況下使用他們的作品。
但並非所有人都將AI拒之門外。有些出版商選擇與AI公司合作，希望合夥可以促成授權交易或增加曝光度。其他出版商則在探索最佳化內容的方法，才能以更顯眼的方式出現在AI生成的回應中。
Photo: Ivy English I 照片：常春藤解析英語
這個變化是個重大的轉捩點。搜尋引擎不再只是單純引導使用者，它們反而漸漸成為了最終目的地。除非媒體企業能找到與AI共存的方法，否則就可能會被淘汰出局。
What Did You Learn?
1. How are AI and social media platforms affecting the media industry?
2. Why are some news companies blocking AI crawlers?
參考答案 :
1. They are causing a sharp drop in news sites’ traffic.
2. To stop AI from using their work without permission or compensation.
Words in Use
1. generate vt. 產生，創造
A good marketing strategy should generate both profit and long-term customer loyalty.
良好的行銷策略應同時帶來利潤與長期的顧客忠誠度。
2. publisher n. 出版商
Though the publisher rejected Ian’s manuscript, they encouraged him to revise and resubmit it.
雖然該出版社拒絕了伊恩的手稿，但鼓勵他修改並再次提交。
3. revenue n. 收益，營收
Seasonal tourism brings considerable revenue to the small coastal town each summer.
季節性觀光每年夏天為那座海濱小鎮帶來可觀的收益。
4. measurable a. 顯著的
Doris noticed a measurable improvement in her English speaking after months of practice.
經過數月的練習後，朵莉絲注意到自己的英文口說有明顯的進步。
5. outlet n. （出版∕電視∕廣播等的）媒體機構
Several international news outlets reported the incident within minutes of it happening.
數家國際新聞媒體機構在該事件發生後幾分鐘內就報導了此事。
Practical Phrases
1. roll out (新產品、服務等）推出
A faster internet service will roll out in rural areas next year.
更快的網路服務將於明年在鄉村地區推出。
2. deal a blow to. . . 打擊……，使……挫敗
Losing their star player dealt a blow to the team’s chances of winning the championship.
失去明星球員重挫了那支球隊奪冠的機會。
3. claw back. . . / claw. . . back
奪回∕設法挽回……
After the damaging rumors spread online, the mayor tried to claw back his reputation.
毀滅性的謠言在網路上散播之後，市長試圖挽回自己的聲譽。
4. shut. . . out / shut out. . . 把……排除在外
Companies that keep shutting out innovation may eventually fall behind their competitors.
那些一直拒絕創新的公司最終可能會落後競爭對手。
5. out of the picture 退出的；不必要；不重要
With the new manager in charge, the old policies are completely out of the picture.
隨著新經理上任，舊政策已完全被淘汰。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
A: Harvard professor Robert Waldinger’s “7-day Happiness Challenge” includes: Day 1: Take stock of your relationships; Day 2: The secret power of an 8-minute phone call; Day 3: Small talk with strangers has big benefits. B: That’s not too hard. What’s next? A: Day 4: Why you should write a “living eulogy;” Day 5: The importance of making work friends; Day 6: Don’t cancel those social plans. B: Good ideas. What’s the final challenge? A: Day 7: Keep happiness going all year long. So, I’m inviting some friends to the Taipei Lantern Festival today to build good relationships. Wanna
A: Happy Lunar New Year. I wish you joy and health in the Year of the Horse. B: Thanks, you too. Actually, the Harvard Study of Adult Development claims that they’ve finally discovered the secret to living a happy life after 85 years of research. A: What is it? Money? Fame? Career? B: Nope, the key is good relationships. Professor Robert Waldinger, the principal investigator, portrays one’s relationships as “social fitness,” and has worked with the New York Times to launch the “7-day Happiness Challenge.” A: I wanna be socially fit. How can I participate in this challenge? A:
★ 本文由生成式 AI 協作，本刊編輯編修。 For tourists looking for a scenic way to spend an afternoon in Kaohsiung, heading to the British Consular Residence of Takao is the perfect choice. Its elevated position allows one to take in the bustling Kaohsiung Harbor to the east and the dazzling sunset over Sizihwan Bay to the west. This elegant red-brick building also serves as a portal to the city’s rich history. Interestingly, for 70 years, many people mistakenly identified this residence as the actual consulate. The history of “Takao,” the former name of Kaohsiung, began its international chapter in the mid-19th century. As European powers
★ 本文由生成式 AI 協作，本刊編輯編修。 Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日） https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang Kaohsiung’s deep connection with the sea continues to thrive, with Kaohsiung Harbor remaining a crucial hub for global shipping. In addition to the port, the city has emerged as a major player in another world-class maritime industry—yacht manufacturing, responsible for producing 80 percent of all Taiwan-made yachts. The yacht industry in Taiwan originated in the post-World War II era, when the US military presence in Taiwan provided local boat builders with guidance on making wooden yachts. The resulting craftsmanship was so exquisite that orders soon poured in. In 1977, Taiwan replaced Canada as the main yacht
RSS