Google News Showcase partners on boycott
Axel Springer, NZZ and Spiegel join forces
German news publishers Axel Springer, NZZ and Spiegel have announced that they will be boycotting Google News Showcase in the first quarter of 2023. This is a significant development, as these three publishers are some of the largest and most influential in Germany.
The publishers have stated that they are boycotting Google News Showcase because they believe that Google is not paying them a fair price for their content. They also argue that Google's dominance in the news market is harming competition and innovation.
Google has responded to the boycott by saying that it is "disappointed" by the publishers' decision. Google claims that it has been negotiating in good faith with the publishers and that it is committed to paying fair prices for content.
The boycott is likely to have a significant impact on Google News Showcase. The program has been a key part of Google's efforts to improve the quality of news content in its search results. Without the participation of major publishers like Axel Springer, NZZ and Spiegel, Google News Showcase will be less comprehensive and less useful.
The boycott is also a sign of the growing tension between Google and news publishers. Publishers have been increasingly critical of Google's dominance in the news market, and they have been calling for Google to pay more for content.
It is unclear how the boycott will end. It is possible that Google and the publishers will reach an agreement that satisfies both sides. However, it is also possible that the boycott will continue, and that Google News Showcase will be significantly diminished.
Impact on the news industry
The boycott is likely to have a significant impact on the news industry. The news industry is already facing a number of challenges, including declining advertising revenue and the rise of social media. The boycott could make it even more difficult for news publishers to survive.
If Google News Showcase is significantly diminished, it could lead to a decline in the quality of news content in search results. This could make it more difficult for people to find accurate and reliable information about current events.
Conclusion
The boycott of Google News Showcase by Axel Springer, NZZ and Spiegel is a significant development. It is a sign of the growing tension between Google and news publishers, and it is likely to have a significant impact on the news industry.