Google won’t stop replacing our news headlines with terrible AI
In early December, I brought you the news that Google has begun replacing Verge headlines, and those of our competitors, with AI clickbait nonsense in its content feed. Google appeared to be backing away from the experiment, but now tells The Verge that its AI headlines in Google Discover are a feat...
By Sean HollisterJanuary 23, 2026163 views
Image: The Verge
This headline is false, and it’s not PCMag’s fault — Google planted this atop its story (and others).
In early December, I brought you the news that Google has begun replacing Verge headlines, and those of our competitors, with AI clickbait nonsense in its content feed. Google appeared to be backing away from the experiment, but now tells The Verge that its AI headlines in Google Discover are a feature, one that "performs well for user satisfaction." I once again see lots of misleading claims every time I check my phone.
Like I explained last month, these AI headlines are akin to a bookstore replacing the covers of the books it puts on display - only here, the "bookstore" is the news tab that appears when you swipe right on the homescreen o …
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