# UK's CMA orders Google to give publishers AI opt-out and attribution rights

Published: 2026-08-01T18:31:12.643Z · Source: UK CMA (Google-filtered) (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/googles-general-search-services-proposed-conduct-requirements)
Source date: 2026-07-29
Flags: catch-up (Jun 3)
Entities: google

The UK Competition and Markets Authority imposed a Publisher Conduct Requirement on Google on June 3, 2026, under its digital markets regime — a legally binding rule forcing Google to let publishers opt out of having content used for AI training, fine-tuning, and the "grounding" behind AI Overviews and AI Mode answers. Google must also add clearer attribution links in AI-generated results and give publishers engagement metrics — impressions, clicks, click-through rate — through an accessible platform such as Search Console, with nine months to fully comply and compliance reports due every six months. A related Fair Ranking requirement, issued June 17, takes effect December 17, 2026.

Why it matters: It's the first legally enforceable rule forcing an AI search engine to disclose and let publishers control how their content feeds AI-generated answers — a template other regulators are watching.

## What this answers

**Can UK publishers opt out of Google's AI Overviews using their content?**

Yes — the CMA's Publisher Conduct Requirement, imposed June 3, 2026, requires Google to let publishers exclude content from AI training, fine-tuning, and the 'grounding' that powers AI Overviews and AI Mode answers, with compliance due within nine months.


Canonical: https://anythingengineoptimization.com/item/2026-08-01-uk-s-cma-orders-google-to-give-publishers-ai-opt-out-and-attribution/
From Anything Engine Optimization (AEO Wire) — https://anythingengineoptimization.com/ · Standards: https://anythingengineoptimization.com/standards/