INTRODUCTION
Google is the world’s biggest search engine, and most of its earnings come from online ads. Whenever we use Google Search, YouTube, or other products and see or click on ads, Google gets paid by companies. In recent years, new AI search tools—like Perplexity, ChatGPT, and You.com—have begun changing the way we look for answers online. These AI tools are becoming strong competitors to Google, and they may even change how creators and websites make money online by introducing new revenue-sharing models and personalized answers. This blog explains how Google and AI search engines earn money, how creators can benefit, and what the future may hold for online search and content creation.
Q. How Google Earns Money
Google mostly makes its money through ads. When we see or click ads on Google Search, YouTube, or other Google products, the companies pay Google. Showing and managing these online ads is Google’s biggest earning method.
Here is the Google’s Revenue Breakdown (2024):
Total for 2024: Nearly $350 billion
Ads share: Over 75–78% of all money
Google gets most of its cash from ads—mainly from Search, YouTube, and its ad network. Smaller parts come from cloud hosting, subscriptions (like YouTube Premium), devices (like Pixel, Chromecast), and trying out new ideas (“Other Bets”).
Q. How Google Ads Work
Google shows paid messages on Search, YouTube, Play Store, and partner sites. Brands pay Google whenever someone views/clicks their ad. Google Cloud earns by selling tools and space to businesses every month.
Simply, Whenever anyone uses Google’s products or sees an ad there, Google makes money. Other things earn cash too, but ads are still the big boss.
Q. Can AI Models Like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity Be a Google Replacement?
A. Could AI Become a Search Engine Like Google?
- Yes, new AI search tools (Perplexity, You.com, ChatGPT with Browse) now answer questions directly, not just by giving links.
- These AI systems talk naturally and understand our questions better, often giving fast, spot-on answers.
- Many people are starting to use them as their main search, and they are expected to shape how we look things up in the coming years.
B. Will these AI Searches Show Sponsored (Paid) Content in the Future?
- Yes. Google is putting ads into its AI-powered answers already.
- Perplexity is testing ads in 2025. These might show up right inside the AI’s answer, not just on top or the side.
- ChatGPT/AIs don’t show ads yet, but specialists think they will soon, especially since Bing (which ChatGPT connects to) uses ads.
- Some AI tools have new “Discover” features, like Google’s feed, showing suggested topics.
C. Will AI Search Make Money from Ads in the Future?
- Yes, almost definitely. All big AI search services are planning or starting to show ads and get paid for it.
- Besides ads, AI sites also sell premium services and APIs, but ads will likely be the biggest way they earn—just like Google.
- Even tools that don’t show ads now will probably start as more people use them and running them costs more.
Quick Table: AI Search vs Google
| Engine | Sponsored Content | Ways to Earn | How It Answers |
| Perplexity, You.com, ChatGPT | Coming soon/test | Ads, Subscriptions, API | Direct, quick answers, context |
| Google SGE/AI | Live | Ads (search, shop) | Summaries, links, paid blocks |
Simply, AI search engines are fast becoming strong rivals to Google, giving more personal and sharp answers. Paid content and ads are now popping up in AI answers, and that’s only going to grow. AI will soon make a lot of money from ads, just like search engines do.
Q. Is AI Dependent on Google for Content? How Will AI Get Unique Content?
A. Does AI Only Use Google’s Data?
- Most big AI models (like ChatGPT, Claude) are trained by reading a lot of public web pages (news, blogs, Wikipedia, etc.). Google’s search index is a big, but indirect, source because it keeps track of all the latest stuff on the internet.
- Some AI search tools use Google or Bing’s search APIs or open internet datasets (like Common Crawl).
- A few, like Perplexity, are making their own data crawlers, but they are still smaller and less updated than Google.
B. Does AI Share Revenue with Google?
- Not directly but AI tools usually pay Google/Bing for data through licensed APIs.
- No official revenue-sharing deal exists, but for now, AI tools pay Google or Bing to use their search feeds.
C. How Can AI Win the “Content Battle” in the Future?
- AI companies are spending more to build their own way to collect and update internet pages.
- Open web projects (like Common Crawl) want to be “free for all,” but aren’t as complete as Google yet.
- Some AI companies might get special deals with social, news, or wiki sites for exclusive data.
- Legal questions over copyright and fair use still aren’t settled but might push for new rules soon.
Simply, most AI search tools depend a lot on Google and Bing for their web data. They pay for access, not for ad revenue. If AI starts driving huge web traffic, new types of deals may be needed. For the moment, Google is still king, but AI tools will compete more as they grow their own tech.
Q. Are Any AI Tools Planning Unique Content and Royalty Sharing for Creators?
Perplexity AI:
- Has started a “Publishers’ Program” (2024-2025) that shares revenue with creators.
- When an article is cited in an AI answer and someone makes ad revenue from that, Perplexity pays the publisher a portion (up to about 25% per click).
- Big news brands (Time, Fortune, Entrepreneur, WordPress, etc.) are already involved, with plans to add many more, including individual creators in the future.
Other AI Tools:
- OpenAI (ChatGPT): No official revenue share for creators yet, but there’s community pressure to add it—especially for custom GPT bots.
- Claude, Anthropic: No formal system yet, but it’s likely to change as the market and legal pressure build.
For Artists/Musicians:
- Some pilot programs for royalties exist, but “pay per use” is still mostly in news/journals.
Simply, Perplexity is leading with actual revenue shares for content creators. Others are thinking about it. Very soon, it could be normal for creators to be paid when their work is used to train AI or answer questions.
Q. How Can We (as a Content Creator) Earn Royalties from Perplexity?
If we want to earn revenue from Perplexity AI, here’s what to do:
A. How Perplexity’s Publisher Program Works:
- When your blog or article is shown in a Perplexity answer, and that answer earns ad money, you get a percent (about 15–25%) of revenue.
- More articles cited = more money for you.
- Most invites now go to big brands, but they plan to add more indie creators soon.
B. How to Join or Earn:
- Apply: Fill the inquiry form on Perplexity’s Publisher Program page or email publishers@perplexity.ai with your site/blog/project info.
- Who’s eligible: Large sites have a good chance, but if your blog is updated, useful, and has regular readers, you could be accepted. Unique and expert content is a plus.
- Onboarding: Once approved, you’ll get access to Perplexity tools and a tracking dashboard showing your cited content and earnings.
- Get the Most: Keep your articles factual, up-to-date, and focused on helpful topics. The more your content is used in answers, the more you earn.
- Other Perks: Free tech use, more brand exposure, maybe even special collaborations.
C. Individual Creators:
If you have a high-quality blog or site, apply—especially for niche topics or expert explainers. In the future, Perplexity may accept YouTubers, newsletter writers, or anyone with deep, unique content.
D. Action Steps:
- Make or upgrade your site/blog—keep it clear and valuable.
- Email the publishers team talking about your content and your audience.
- Network! Reach out via media contacts if you have any.
- Follow copyright laws and keep quality high.
Simply, Apply for the Perplexity Publisher Program. If accepted, you’ll get a share when your work is cited and earns ad money. It’s easier for big companies, but solo creators should absolutely give it a shot. This system is growing—soon, more creators will have a place here.
Q. Will Google and other AI Tools can consider and rank an AI written blog
Yes, Google can rank a FAQ blog, but few things matter:
- Make it original: Google likes content that is new, helpful for people, and not copied. If we just paste the AI draft without changes, it might look like other blogs and not stand out.
- Add your own thoughts: It’s best if we add our personal ideas, real stories, or something unique before posting.
- Avoid just copying: If we publish only AI text, Google may treat it as less valuable. Content that feels personal, detailed, or special gets ranked higher.
- Use good SEO: Give your blog a smart title, useful headings, and the right keywords.
- Share your own experience or tips—Google likes when writers add their own angle.
Google’s latest rules say that just posting AI-made content may not work well. It wants real human advice, knowledge, and intent.
Q. Will Perplexity or other AI search tools use your blog?
Yes, Perplexity and other search AIs can pick up your blog, show it in answers, and use it as a source if:
- You make your blog open to everyone and index it (allow it to be found).
- Your topic is unique or fills a gap online.
- Your blog answers questions clearly (like with FAQs and headings).
- If someone searches for your topic and your blog matches, Perplexity may use it, especially if not many others have covered the same subject.
AI tools do not “accept” blogs directly; they crawl the web and use what fits people’s questions best. Perplexity can list your blog as a source, and if it’s cited and makes money, you can earn payouts.The owner and author of the final content is you, not the AI.
Simply, Your blog can rank well on Google if you edit and personalize it a bit.
Just copying AI text might not do well—but your real touch, stories, or examples will make it stronger. Perplexity and AI search tools can pick and use your blog, especially if you cover a special topic that few others have.
Q. Why is adding human touch or style needed?
- Google’s latest rules favor content with real experiences, opinions, or the author’s own thinking.
- People relate better to personal stories and insights—readers spend more time on blogs like that.
- If you’re first to write about a topic, sharing your own journey or examples makes you stand out even more.
- AI detectors and platforms also favor blogs that look like a real human wrote or edited them.
Q. How can a creator personalize his blog?
- Share your personal journey: Like, “When I tried joining the Perplexity Publisher Program as a new blogger…”
- Add practical insights: “I found that writing about rare topics brought more people to my blog…”
- Use real-life examples or case studies.
- Add your own advice or tips at the end.
- Show your name, a short author bio, or any credentials.
Simply, If you add your own stories or thoughts, your blog becomes much more powerful, useful, and likely to rank high—nowadays, having a personal touch is the best way!
If you’d like, I can help draft a personalized intro or ending—just share your own journey or ideas, and I’ll put it together for you.
Q. If we write a new blog and a big, trusted site copies it with some changes, who does AI cite, and who will get benefit of citation add sons’ revenue?
- If you create a blog on a new topic and a big famous site copies your content (even with edits) and publishes it, here’s what happens:
- AI or most people will cite the big website where they found the info. That’s because big sites show up in search results, have more rankings, and are trusted more by readers.
- If your original post was published and found before the big site’s version, and AI can see you were first, it might cite you.
- Citation itself doesn’t give direct money. It is just credit—showing where the idea came from.
- Money comes from ads, sponsors, or other ways that pay for web traffic. The site with more views and trust gets most of the money.
- If people cite your original website, you might get benefits like:
- More site authority,
- Extra visitors,
- Backlinks or ad money.
- But if a big site shares your post and your site is small or unknown, their version will be cited, and their site gets the money.
- If your content was copied without asking, you can make a copyright complaint (DMCA).
- Ethically, big sites should give you credit or a backlink, so you benefit.
- In most cases, the site with more traffic and trust gets the citation and the money.
- To protect yourself, try to get your content indexed fast, grow your site’s reputation, and use copyright safeguards. If not, big sites will be referenced and earn most of the money.
Q. As content creator How would I know on which topics do AI tools have full knowledge and on which not?
- What AI tools know well depends on what data they were trained on, their tech, and how fresh their info is.
- AI knows best about topics that have lots of public articles, books, research, or data—like history, basic science, popular tech, and general info.
- It also works well where official, updated data exists—finance, sports scores, company details, medical facts.
- Coding, math basics, programming guides are well covered by AI tools.
- AI has weaker knowledge for:
- Latest news, real-time info: For example, new events, stock changes, or fresh updates may not be known unless the AI has live web access.
- Rare or niche subjects: Topics with little public data, like rare diseases or very specific rules, may have gaps.
- Personal opinions or experiences: AI can’t know someone’s private stories, company secrets, or individual feelings.
- Creative work and feelings: Art, poetry, advice for emotions—AI doesn’t match human judgment or creativity.
- Everyday logic and jokes—AI may miss deep meaning, humor, or local expressions.
- Limitations: AI faces issues with bias, explaining its answers, making creative choices, giving emotional advice, or handling privacy.
- AI only knows what’s in its training data or on the public web, not new or secret info.
- Examples:
- Full knowledge: Common science facts, coding help, English, open finance info.
- Limited/no knowledge: Latest news past its last update, regional special info, private business data, highly creative or emotional advice.
Simply, AI tools don’t know everything about every topic. They do best where data is public, well-organized, and open. For recent events, rare topics, feelings, or private info, their answers may be incomplete. Google earns most of its money from ads shown on Search, YouTube, and its network—over 75% of its revenue. New AI search tools like Perplexity, ChatGPT, and You.com are rising as alternatives, soon also earning through ads and premium services. Many current AI search engines still depend heavily on Google/Bing for content but are working to gather and update their own data. Perplexity leads with a revenue-sharing program for publishers and creators—others may follow soon. For creators, joining such programs or making unique, helpful blogs increases earning opportunity, but adding a personal, human touch improves ranking and impact. Ultimately, while Google remains dominant, AI tools are rapidly evolving and will soon change how content and revenue are distributed online.