The advertising-economics crisis for online publishers as AI chat interfaces replace search-driven traffic. When readers get answers from ChatGPT or Perplexity instead of clicking through to the source, the page never loads and the CPM is effectively zero. Simon uses this framing to argue that the advertiser-first publishing model cannot survive the AI transition.
Related terms
AI-native publishing — A publishing operating model where AI agents handle research, drafting, editorial review, SEO/GEO, and programming as default, with human operators overseeing strategy and judgement calls.
Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) — The practice of structuring a website so AI answer engines (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews) can ingest, ground, and cite its content reliably.