- According to media reports, Google made changes to its algorithm, which led to a decrease in reader traffic
- A spokesperson for the tech giant says the changes are not aimed at individual websites and are aimed at improving its search engine as a whole.
ISTANBUL: Several independent media outlets in Turkey face potential closure after algorithm changes made by Google led to a significant drop in reader traffic, the media outlets said in a joint statement on Thursday.
They say Google's algorithm changes since late January have wiped out much of the reader traffic to their websites that was previously driven through Google's Discover and News tools, and have hurt their finances.
Independent news sites including T24, Medyascope, Diken and Birgun said Google's changes also blocked public access to news, adding that they would take legal action.
“As independent media organizations operating in Turkey, we declare that we will defend our corporate rights, the work of our employees, and the support of our readers who have been stolen by Google’s actions, on all platforms,” they said.
They said they would appeal to local and international legal authorities, in particular the Turkish Antimonopoly Authority.
A Google spokesperson, who asked to remain anonymous, said the changes were not aimed at individual websites and were aimed at improving the search engine as a whole.
“We do not manipulate search results, modify our products, or enforce our policies to promote or discriminate against any particular viewpoint,” the spokesperson said.
In 2024, Turkey ranked 158th out of 180 countries in the press freedom index by the press freedom advocacy group Reporters Without Borders. Its report said that with about 90 percent of Turkey’s media under government influence, Turks have recently turned to critical or independent media for domestic news.
Independent media in Turkey are heavily dependent on Google for revenue, as private companies are reluctant to advertise on independent sites.
On Wednesday, independent news outlet Gazete Duvar announced it was closing, citing revenue losses caused by Google's algorithm changes and inflationary economic conditions.
