Google search traffic to publishers has dropped significantly, with a 33% decline globally over the past year, according to Chartbeat data. Referrals from Google Discover, which curates content for mobile users, fell by 21%. In the US, organic search referrals decreased by 38%, while Google Discover referrals dropped by 29%. The report highlights that publishers focused on lifestyle or utility content were particularly hard-hit, likely due to the introduction of AI-generated summaries in search results starting in 2024. Media leaders surveyed expect further declines, predicting an average drop of 43% in traffic over the next three years. Many plan to reduce their focus on traditional Google search, with a net score of -25 indicating a shift in strategy. Social media referrals showed slight improvement, with X (formerly Twitter) up 15% and Facebook up 9% year-on-year, but both platforms still face significant challenges. Publishers expressed a loss of faith in Facebook and X, planning to invest less in these channels in 2026. Despite the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, which have increased referrals slightly, they still account for a negligible portion of total traffic. Most publishers aim to enhance their presence on AI platforms, anticipating that AI licensing deals could contribute some revenue. Original reporting and community engagement are seen as essential areas for future focus, while traditional content types like service journalism are considered less critical. Overall confidence in journalism's future continues to wane, with only 38% of media leaders feeling optimistic, down from 60% in 2022.