Sundar Pichai Says Web Publishing Is Still Alive

Nilay Patel from The Verge interviewed Google CEO Sundar Pichai. He asked tough questions about how new AI features in Google Search, like AI Overviews and AI Mode, are affecting web publishers. Nilay said these changes are hurting publishers, but Sundar didn’t agree.

What’s Sundar’s View?

Web Content Is Increasing: Sundar said that in the last two years, the amount of content on the web has increased by 45%. And this growth isn’t just because of AI, real people are also creating more content.

Web Publishing Isn’t Dead: When Nilay said if he started The Verge today, he wouldn’t build a website, he’d focus on YouTube or TikTok, Sundar disagreed. He said:

“I don’t think that’s true. If you started The Verge again, you’d still build a strong website.”

Google Still Sends Traffic to the Web: Sundar said:

“Even five years from now, you’ll see us sending lots of traffic to websites.”

He added that unlike some other companies (like TikTok or Meta), Google still cares about publishers and works hard to send users to websites.

AI Mode’s Impact and Google’s Position

Sundar explained that even in AI Mode, Google will show sources and send users to websites. He believes that while AI is changing things, the web is evolving, and traffic to websites will continue.

What Else Did Sundar Say?

• People are consuming more content now than before (on YouTube, websites, social media, etc.).

• The web is changing, but not dying.

• AI Overviews are designed in a way that still leads users to websites.

• The quality of traffic from Google to websites is improving.

• He said:

“If we do the wrong thing, people will stop using Google and go somewhere else.”

Summary:

Sundar Pichai is confident that web publishing is still important and relevant.

He believes Google still plays a key role in driving traffic to websites.

AI will bring changes, but the web will survive and grow in the long run.

If you're a publisher, content creator, or SEO expert, Sundar’s message is clear: “The web is still alive, and Google still wants to send people to your site. You just need to evolve with the changes.”