According to TechCrunch, People Inc has signed an AI licensing deal with Microsoft, making the media giant a launch partner in Microsoft’s new publisher content marketplace. This marks People Inc’s second AI partnership following its earlier agreement with OpenAI last year. The announcement came during parent company IAC’s third-quarter earnings, where People Inc revealed that Google Search traffic has plummeted from 54% of its total traffic two years ago to just 24% in the past quarter. CEO Neil Vogel described the Microsoft marketplace as a “pay-per-use” model where AI players directly compensate publishers, with Microsoft’s Copilot being the first buyer. Meanwhile, People Inc reported digital revenue growth of 9% to $269 million for the quarter, driven by performance marketing and licensing which saw 38% and 24% growth respectively.
Publisher power play
Here’s the thing – this Microsoft deal isn’t just another licensing agreement. It’s part of a much broader strategy that People Inc has been quietly executing. They’re using Cloudflare’s technology to block AI crawlers, and CEO Vogel straight up admitted this has been “very effective” at bringing “almost everyone to the table.” Basically, they’re forcing AI companies to choose: pay for content or get nothing. And it’s working.
Google traffic crash
That 54% to 24% Google traffic drop is absolutely brutal. We’re talking about losing more than half their search traffic in just two years. Now, some of that might be Google’s algorithm changes, but Vogel specifically called out Google’s AI Overviews as hurting their traffic. He didn’t hold back either – called Google a “bad actor” because publishers can’t block Google’s bot without killing their remaining search traffic. It’s a classic hostage situation, and publishers are finally fighting back.
Different deal models
What’s interesting is how People Inc is playing the field with different deal structures. The OpenAI deal was more of an “all-you-can-eat” model, while Microsoft’s is “a la carte” pay-per-use. Vogel says they’re happy with either approach as long as content is “respected and paid for.” Smart move – don’t get locked into one revenue model when the entire AI content landscape is still forming. They’re basically becoming content wholesalers to the AI industry, and with their recent acquisition of Feedfeed, they’re building an even bigger content arsenal.
What this means
So where does this leave other publishers? Watching very carefully, I’d imagine. People Inc is showing that there’s leverage in quality content and technical blocking. The fact that they’re growing digital revenue 9% while their main traffic source collapses suggests their strategy is working. More deals are coming, Vogel hinted. The question is: will this become the new normal for publisher-AI relationships, or will smaller publishers get left behind? Either way, the era of AI companies freely scraping publisher content appears to be ending, and not a moment too soon.
Thank you for any other magnificent post. Where else may just anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal manner of writing?
I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the search for
such info.
This excellent website definitely has all the information I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
I’m very pleased to find this great site. I need to to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!!
I definitely loved every little bit of it and i also have you saved to fav
to check out new stuff on your website.
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles
or blog posts in this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo
I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i’m glad to express that
I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed.
I such a lot undoubtedly will make certain to don?t put out of
your mind this web site and provides it a look regularly.
Everything is very open with a very clear clarification of
the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your website is extremely
helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Hello there, I found your website via Google even as looking
for a similar topic, your website got here up, it seems to be great.
I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, simply became aware of your weblog thru Google, and
located that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels.
I’ll appreciate if you happen to proceed this
in future. Lots of folks will be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
Asking questions are genuinely good thing if you are not understanding anything
entirely, but this article presents good understanding yet.
You could definitely see your skills within the work you write.
The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how
they believe. At all times go after your heart.
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a
30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a
blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all
is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would
cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% sure.
Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Admiring the time and effort you put into your
site and detailed information you provide. It’s good
to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Excellent read!
I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google
account.
Very good post! We are linking to this particularly great article on our website.
Keep up the great writing.
Hi there, yeah this post is in fact pleasant and I have learned lot of things from
it about blogging. thanks.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could
add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something
like this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your
new updates.
Greetings, I believe your website may be having web browser compatibility
issues. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however,
when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues.
I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
Aside from that, fantastic website!
Hello there! Quick question that’s completely off
topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
My web site looks weird when viewing from my iphone 4.
I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to fix this problem.
If you have any suggestions, please share.
Appreciate it!
whoah this weblog is excellent i really like reading
your articles. Stay up the great work! You recognize, a lot of
persons are looking round for this information, you could aid them greatly.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or
something. I think that you can do with a few pics to
drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this
is magnificent blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.
What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled
upon this I have discovered It absolutely helpful and it
has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist other customers
like its helped me. Great job.
Helpful information. Fortunate me I discovered your web site by chance,
and I’m surprised why this twist of fate did not came about
earlier! I bookmarked it.
Right here is the perfect web site for anybody who wishes to
understand this topic. You understand a whole lot its
almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa).
You certainly put a new spin on a subject which has been discussed for years.
Excellent stuff, just great!
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog.
Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility
problems? A handful of my blog readers have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.
Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?
Good info. Lucky me I recently found your site by chance (stumbleupon).
I’ve book marked it for later!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my
newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like
this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would
have some experience with something like this. Please let me
know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and
I look forward to your new updates.
I have learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for
revisiting. I wonder how a lot effort you set to make this
sort of excellent informative site.
Good response in return of this query with real arguments and telling everything on the topic of that.
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful post. Many thanks for providing this information.
whoah this weblog is magnificent i love reading your articles.
Keep up the great work! You realize, lots of people are hunting around for
this information, you could help them greatly.