Publishers can now block their content from powering Google AI features like AI Overviews, under binding rules the CMA imposed on Google.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) formally required Google to give publishers the right to block their content from AI search features. Under binding rules imposed on June 3, publishers can opt out of having their material power features like AI Overviews, opt out of its use to fine-tune Google’s AI models, and require Google to attribute their content with clear links in AI-generated results.

The CMA says the UK is the first to require a search company to give publishers control over the use of their content by AI. Publishers previously had no formal legal mechanism under UK competition law to prevent their content from being used to power AI search features.

Google has nine months to implement all three requirements. The CMA says it expects key parts to become available to publishers before that deadline, but has not said which ones or when. Google must also submit compliance reports every six months for the first year. After that, the CMA will review the reporting frequency.

The CMA said it is monitoring Google’s recently announced changes to its search platform, which could reshape how search results appear to UK users. It will “announce further action in relation to Google’s search business in the coming weeks.”

The recent CMA publisher controls originated from a February consultation that proposed the same set of controls and invited public feedback through February 25. The June 3 decision converts those proposals into binding obligations, with the fine-tuning provision added from consultation responses.