In June 2025, AI platforms generated over 1.13 billion referrals to the top 1,000 websites, increasing 357% since June 2024. In contrast, Google Search accounted for 191 billion referrals during the same period, maintaining the majority share.
Under the consent order proposed by the FTC, ad agencies can't direct spending based on political considerations, thus preventing ad boycotts related to political ideologies.
"Out of an abundance of caution, a security detail was provided to Mike Reed," a Gannett spokesperson said, highlighting the company's response to increased security concerns after recent violence.
The publishers' complaint highlights that Perplexity's actions are not only legally questionable but also fundamentally unfair, as it utilizes their intellectual property to compete directly for audience traffic.