Edtech company Chegg has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the tech giant's AI summaries of search results have unfairly impacted Chegg's traffic and revenue. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, accuses Google of unfair competition, specifically reciprocal dealing, monopoly maintenance, and unjust enrichment.

According to the lawsuit, Chegg claims that Google forces companies to supply their content in order to be included in Google Search, unfairly exercising its monopoly power in search to reap the benefits of third-party intellectual property. By doing so, Google's AI summaries allegedly divert traffic away from Chegg's website, resulting in lost revenue.

Chegg is seeking compensatory damages and other forms of relief, as well as an injunction on Google's alleged "unlawful and unfair" conduct. This lawsuit marks the latest development in the ongoing tension between Google and publishers, who have been increasingly vocal about the impact of Google's AI summaries on their traffic and revenue.

A number of news outlets have also reported a decline in traffic since Google introduced its AI summaries in search results. These summaries draw from sources around the web to answer Google Search user queries, often providing a concise answer without the need to click through to the original source. While convenient for users, publishers argue that this practice undermines their ability to attract traffic and generate revenue.

The lawsuit raises important questions about the balance of power between Google and publishers, as well as the role of AI in shaping the online information landscape. As the case moves forward, it will be closely watched by the tech industry, publishers, and regulators alike.

Google has yet to comment on the lawsuit, but we will update this post if we receive a response. In the meantime, the edtech industry will be watching closely to see how this lawsuit impacts the future of online learning and the role of AI in search results.

The implications of this lawsuit extend beyond the edtech industry, with potential consequences for the broader digital publishing landscape. As AI continues to play an increasingly prominent role in search results, publishers and regulators will need to navigate the complex issues surrounding intellectual property, competition, and the flow of online information.