Google’s new AI opt-out setting may have bigger consequences for publishers than it first appeared. The issue centers on Top Stories visibility, as recent tracking suggests Google is placing the Top Stories carousel inside AI Overviews instead of showing it farther down the page as a separate search feature.
According to data cited from NewzDash, that layout change could raise the stakes for publishers deciding whether to opt out of AI-related use in Search Console. If Top Stories is increasingly tied to AI Overviews, publishers that block participation may worry about losing a prominent place in search results.
The concern is not just about traffic from AI summaries. Top Stories has long been one of the most valuable placements for news publishers in Google Search, and any shift in where that carousel appears can affect visibility and click opportunities. Moving it into AI Overviews changes the context in which users encounter news content.
For publishers, the development adds another layer to an already difficult decision around Google’s AI features. The reported search layout changes suggest that opting out may no longer be viewed only as an AI policy choice, but also as a potential search performance and placement issue.
