Google's Beta Tool for Content Rewriting and Quality Enhancement

Google is compensating small independent publishers to utilize their AI platform for rewriting content from news sites flagged for large-scale content duplication. Twitter users are sharing negative views on this initiative.

According to a paywalled article on AdWeek, Google's beta test tool requires small publishers to summarize and republish a certain number of articles daily to receive payment.

Small publishers use a tool that shows them content chosen by the AI tool that can be selected in order to produce content at “at no cost.”

Why Google’s New Tool Is Problematic

It is common for news organizations to report on news that has been first broken by another news organization. When capable journalists do this, they often put their own unique perspective on the story. This is just the way things work in the industry.

Google's tool, on the other hand, seems to resemble a more systematic approach to replicating content known as article spinning. Article spinning is an automated technique that takes content from various websites through website feeds and rewrites it using synonyms. AI technology can take this a step further by summarizing content in a different style, replacing entire sentences and paragraphs with the same information but presented in a new way.

Google is currently testing a new tool, which raises some concerns. This is troublesome because Google plays a significant role as the main gatekeeper of online content. The tool specifically targets certain news organizations, prompting their content to be reworked by smaller independent publishers.

However, on a positive note, this could potentially lead to more inbound links for the original news publisher. Essentially, this means free links, which is a beneficial outcome for all parties involved. Win-win situation, right?

News publishers struggle to benefit from links to content that quickly becomes outdated. The constant need to generate news to sustain their business can be easily disrupted by diluted content.

The issue with Google's AI tool lies in its devaluation of professionally created "value add" content. This makes Google's encouragement of high-quality content creation seem hypocritical at best and cynical at worst.

Reaction To Google’s AI News Tool

It can be quite frustrating for a publisher to see their content copied by a swarm of publishers using AI technology. This becomes even more disheartening when their original content is overshadowed by these parasitic AI systems in platforms like Google News and in search results. Additionally, it can be disheartening to see users prefer local online news publishers who simply republish news from larger publishers.

Technology journalist Brian Merchant (who writes for The Atlantic and has published a book) posted a virtual thumbs down on Twitter, a sentiment that was unanimously seconded.

He tweeted:

Google is now rewarding the creation of AI-generated content, which is causing concern among many. If you are a news outlet that has agreed to this arrangement, and particularly if you are sharing AI-generated articles without disclosing it, you should feel a sense of shame.

Brian shared his thoughts on Google's AI tool for small news sites in a tweet. He pointed out that the media industry has learned that we don't have to accept whatever big tech gives us. Participating in automating our field for a small amount of money could lead to negative consequences in the long run.

Merchant retweeted a comment by technology journalist Alex Kantrow:

“This is sad. Is this the web Google wants?”

Another person tweeted:

“It’s all about unchecked and untaxed profit.

Google's main priority seems to be corporations prioritizing profits over their employees and the well-being of Americans in general.

An employee at Microsoft mentioned the idea of "autophagy," which is when an organism starts to consume itself, similar to what happens when it is starving.

She tweeted:

“The quality of news content will decline and hurt search. Autophagy is a real threat to information quality and it looks like no one is taking it seriously.”

The Future Of Content

The issue with online content isn't limited to news publishers, but affects anyone making a living through online publishing. The tools and strategies used in news publications can also be applied to product reviews, recipes, entertainment, and any other topic that content creators cover.

How do you feel about Google’s new tool? Will it help small publishers compete against bigger sites or is it just the onset of autophagy in the body of online publishing?

Editor's P/S:

Google's new tool for small publishers has sparked controversy, with concerns raised about its potential to devalue original content and promote AI-generated summaries. The article highlights the ethical implications of using AI to rewrite news articles, questioning the integrity of the news landscape if publishers prioritize republishing content over creating unique perspectives. The reactions on Twitter further underscore the frustration of journalists and content creators who fear the dilution of quality content and the undermining of their livelihoods.

The future of content creation is uncertain in the face of such technological advancements. While small publishers may benefit from increased inbound links and visibility, the long-term consequences of relying on AI-generated content remain to be seen. The article raises important questions about the role of technology in journalism and online publishing, and it remains to be determined whether Google's new tool will ultimately foster a healthy and diverse media ecosystem or exacerbate the challenges faced by original content creators.