AI news · Google · publishers
Google now pays over 400 publications for AI news features
CNN, Axios, the Financial Times and Forbes join a licensing programme that feeds article overviews and audio briefings in Google News.
Google pays more than 400 publications to use their content in its News AI pilot, the company said on Thursday 15 October 2026. The Washington Post was among the first members when the pilot launched last year.
The newest members include Axios, CNN, the Financial Times and Forbes, plus US local titles such as the Post and Courier and the Texas Tribune. In return for payment, members give Google extra rights to build AI features from their work. Neither side has published the sums, Reuters reports. CNN’s deal is its first since Paramount Skydance took over Warner Bros Discovery, Reuters notes.
The licensed material feeds two features. The first is a longer summary on each publisher’s Google News page, read before anyone opens an article. The other is an audio briefing that listeners can tailor. Google says both credit the publisher and link back to the source.
For publishers weighing an AI deal, Google’s 400 partners set the going model: payment for content, with links back to the article.
Sources
- Google: 400 publications are now partnering with us on our News AI pilot program.. Checked
- Reuters via BNN Bloomberg: CNN, Axios and other publishers join Google’s AI news program. Checked
Alexandre S.
Alexandre S. is a creative ad strategist and copywriter with ten years' experience in digital marketing across multiple channels.
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