Content monetization

Getty Images (GETY) shares fell over 6% after announcing a multi-year licensing agreement with AI search engine Perplexity AI. Perplexity will integrate Getty’s images into search results with attribution, enhancing result quality and user trust. Getty’s VP Nick Unsworth touted the partnership’s benefits for AI platforms. While the deal monetizes Getty’s content and gives Perplexity a vast image library, the market reacted negatively, possibly due to a lack of disclosed financial details, demonstrating investor uncertainty about the agreement’s long-term financial impact.

The internet experiences a decline in human-generated content as AI creations proliferate. This surge fuels “Generative Engine Optimization” (GEO), a new tactic aiming to manipulate AI outputs. Legitimate applications, like Bacula Enterprises, enhance visibility with credible content. However, widespread exploitation, seen on platforms like DeepSeek, involves flooding systems with promotional content to game rankings—turning genuine products top recommendations. This arms race risks transforming the web into a battleground dominated by corporate agendas, threatening authenticity and user trust.