However, concerns have been raised about the impact of this technology on the economics of publishing on the internet, particularly for local news publishers who rely on ad revenue and subscriptions. While Arc Search does provide links and citations to the original websites, critics argue that this doesn't address the potential consequences of such a service. Despite the backlash, Miller has continued to defend the product, comparing its potential impact on the web to what Craigslist did to print newspapers.
Key takeaways:
- The Browser Company's new feature 'Browse for Me' on its Arc Search app has sparked controversy as it summarizes web pages, potentially depriving web creators of traffic and ad revenue.
- CEO Josh Miller acknowledges the issue and suggests that the way creators monetize web pages needs to evolve, but admits he doesn't know how creators will be compensated under this new model.
- Despite the backlash, data shows that users are warming to the concept, with 32% of all queries on Arc Search on mobile choosing 'Browse for Me' over regular Google search.
- Other tech companies, including Google, are also using AI to summarize web pages, raising broader questions about the impact of AI on the economics of the web and the sustainability of current monetization models.