Latest news with #web
Fast Company
11 hours ago
- Fast Company
AI chatbots are breaking the web—and forcing a 404 makeover
More than half of Americans now use a chatbot, with an increasing number of people replacing search engines with large language model (LLM)-powered chat queries to navigate the web and find answers. In general, the quality of these outputs is improving as the underlying models get better. However, the challenge of processing so much information means AI models sometimes misfire, hallucinating details—including website URLs. One analysis of 18,000 landing page visits from ChatGPT found that the AI system included the wrong URL in roughly one out of every 33 links. Sometimes, the mistake is just a single letter off; other times, the URL is entirely fabricated. The result is that website hosts are beginning to adapt, trying to capture this traffic and redirect it to the intended target. From designing new 404 error pages that explain what may have gone wrong and offer contextual links, to creating on-the-fly content—often with the help of AI tools themselves—various strategies are being deployed. These efforts aren't quite AI engine optimization, the anticipated successor to traditional search engine optimization (SEO), but they reflect a growing urgency as users shift from Google searches to chatbot interactions. They're an attempt to acknowledge and improve the experience of those who land on websites via AI hallucinations or errors. Jack Arturo, who runs WP Fusion, a WordPress plug-in, has noticed the impact of artificial intelligence on traffic to his site. Data shared with Fast Company shows that in September 2024, ChatGPT was responsible for less than 0.5% of his referral traffic. 'A year ago, it didn't really exist as a referrer,' he explains. 'But if we go for the last 30 days, it's number three—well, actually, really number two, after Google, because these are direct visits,' he says.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cloudflare launches a marketplace that lets websites charge AI bots for scraping
Cloudflare, a cloud infrastructure provider that serves 20% of the web, announced Tuesday the launch of a new marketplace that reimagines the relationship between website owners and AI companies — ideally giving publishers greater control over their content. For the last year, Cloudflare has launched tools for publishers to address the rampant rise of AI crawlers, including a one-click solution to block all AI bots, as well as a dashboard to view how AI crawlers are visiting their site. In a 2024 interview, Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince told TechCrunch these products were laying a foundation for a new type of marketplace in which publishers could distribute their content to AI companies and be compensated for it. Now, Cloudflare is bringing that marketplace to life. It's called Pay per Crawl, and Cloudflare is launching the 'experiment' in private beta on Tuesday. Website owners in the experiment can choose to let AI crawlers, on an individual basis, scrape their site at a set rate — a micropayment for every single 'crawl.' Alternatively, website owners can choose to let AI crawlers scrape their site for free, or block them altogether. Cloudflare claims its tools will let website owners see whether crawlers are scraping their site for AI training data, to appear in AI search responses, or for other purposes. At scale, Cloudflare's marketplace is a big idea that could offer publishers a potential business model for the AI era — and it also places Cloudflare at the center of it all. The launch of the marketplace comes at a time when news publishers are facing existential questions about how to reach readers, as Google Search traffic fades away and AI chatbots rise in popularity. There's not a clear answer for how news publishers will survive in the AI era. Some, such as the New York Times, have filed lawsuits against tech companies for training their AI models on news articles without permission. Meanwhile, other publishers have struck multi-year deals to license their content for AI model training and to have their content appear in AI chatbot responses. Even so, only large publishers have struck AI licensing deals, and it's still unclear whether they provide meaningful sources of revenue. Cloudflare aims to create a more durable system where publishers can set prices on their own terms. The company also announced Tuesday that new websites set up with Cloudflare will now, by default, block all AI crawlers. Site owners will have to grant certain AI crawlers permission to access their site — a change Cloudflare says will give every new domain 'the default of control.' Several large publishers, including Conde Nast, TIME, The Associated Press, The Atlantic, ADWEEK, and Fortune, have signed on with Cloudflare to block AI crawlers by default in support of the company's broader goal of a 'permission-based approach to crawling.' The business model that many of these publishers relied on for decades is slowly becoming unreliable. Historically, online publishers have allowed Google to scrape their sites in return for referrals in Google Search, which translated to traffic to their sites, and ultimately, ad revenue. However, new data from Cloudflare suggests that publishers may be getting a worse deal in the AI era than in the Google Search era. While some websites cite ChatGPT as a major traffic source, that doesn't appear to be the case broadly. This June, Cloudflare says it found that Google's crawler scraped its websites 14 times for every referral it gave them. Meanwhile, OpenAI's crawler scraped websites 17,000 times for every one referral, while Anthropic scraped websites 73,000 times for every referral. Meanwhile, OpenAI and Google are building AI agents that are designed to visit websites on behalf of users, collect information, and deliver it back to users directly. A future in which these tools are mainstream has huge implications for publishers that rely on readers visiting their sites. Cloudflare notes that the 'true potential' of Pay per Crawl may emerge in an 'agentic' future. 'What if an agentic paywall could operate at the network edge, entirely programmatically? Imagine asking your favorite deep research program to help you synthesize the latest cancer research or a legal brief, or just help you find the best restaurant in Soho — and then giving that agent a budget to spend to acquire the best and most relevant content,' Cloudflare said in a blog post. To participate in Cloudflare's experimental marketplace, AI companies and publishers must both be set up with Cloudflare accounts. In their accounts, both parties can set rates at which they'd like to buy and sell a 'crawl' of the publisher's content. Cloudflare acts as the intermediary in these transactions, charging the AI company and distributing the earnings to the publisher. Cloudflare spokesperson Ripley Park tells TechCrunch there are no stablecoins or cryptocurrency involved in Pay per Crawl at this time, even though many have suggested digital currency would be perfect for something like this. Cloudflare's marketplace feels like a bold vision for the future that requires a lot of publishers and AI companies to get on board. Still, there's no guarantee publishers will get a good deal, and convincing AI firms to participate could be tough, given they're currently scraping content for free. Nevertheless, Cloudflare seems like one of the few companies in a position to make a marketplace like this happen.
TechCrunch
a day ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Cloudflare launches a marketplace that lets websites charge AI bots for scraping
Cloudflare, a cloud infrastructure provider that serves 20% of the web, announced Tuesday the launch of a new marketplace that reimagines the relationship between website owners and AI companies — ideally giving publishers greater control over their content. For the last year, Cloudflare has launched tools for publishers to address the rampant rise of AI crawlers, including a one-click solution to block all AI bots, as well as a dashboard to view how AI crawlers are visiting their site. In a 2024 interview, Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince told TechCrunch these products were laying a foundation for a new type of marketplace in which publishers could distribute their content to AI companies and be compensated for it. Now, Cloudflare is bringing that marketplace to life. It's called Pay per Crawl, and Cloudflare is launching the 'experiment' in private beta on Tuesday. Website owners in the experiment can choose to let AI crawlers, on an individual basis, scrape their site at a set rate — a micropayment for every single 'crawl.' Alternatively, website owners can choose to let AI crawlers scrape their site for free, or block them altogether. Cloudflare claims its tools will let website owners see whether crawlers are scraping their site for AI training data, to appear in AI search responses, or for other purposes. Here's what website owners see in Pay per Crawl (Credit: Cloudflare) At scale, Cloudflare's marketplace is a big idea that could offer publishers a potential business model for the AI era — and it also places Cloudflare at the center of it all. The launch of the marketplace comes at a time when news publishers are facing existential questions about how to reach readers, as Google Search traffic fades away and AI chatbots rise in popularity. There's not a clear answer for how news publishers will survive in the AI era. Some, such as the New York Times, have filed lawsuits against tech companies for training their AI models on news articles without permission. Meanwhile, other publishers have struck multi-year deals to license their content for AI model training and to have their content appear in AI chatbot responses. Even so, only large publishers have struck AI licensing deals, and it's still unclear whether they provide meaningful sources of revenue. Cloudflare aims to create a more durable system where publishers can set prices on their own terms. Techcrunch event Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW The company also announced Tuesday that new websites set up with Cloudflare will now, by default, block all AI crawlers. Site owners will have to grant certain AI crawlers permission to access their site — a change Cloudflare says will give every new domain 'the default of control.' Several large publishers, including Conde Nast, TIME, The Associated Press, The Atlantic, ADWEEK, and Fortune, have signed on with Cloudflare to block AI crawlers by default in support of the company's broader goal of a 'permission-based approach to crawling.' The business model that many of these publishers relied on for decades is slowly becoming unreliable. Historically, online publishers have allowed Google to scrape their sites in return for referrals in Google Search, which translated to traffic to their sites, and ultimately, ad revenue. However, new data from Cloudflare suggests that publishers may be getting a worse deal in the AI era than in the Google Search era. While some websites cite ChatGPT as a major traffic source, that doesn't appear to be the case broadly. This June, Cloudflare says it found that Google's crawler scraped its websites 14 times for every referral it gave them. Meanwhile, OpenAI's crawler scraped websites 17,000 times for every one referral, while Anthropic scraped websites 73,000 times for every referral. Meanwhile, OpenAI and Google are building AI agents that are designed to visit websites on behalf of users, collect information, and deliver it back to users directly. A future in which these tools are mainstream has huge implications for publishers that rely on readers visiting their sites. Cloudflare notes that the 'true potential' of Pay per Crawl may emerge in an 'agentic' future. 'What if an agentic paywall could operate at the network edge, entirely programmatically? Imagine asking your favorite deep research program to help you synthesize the latest cancer research or a legal brief, or just help you find the best restaurant in Soho — and then giving that agent a budget to spend to acquire the best and most relevant content,' Cloudflare said in a blog post. To participate in Cloudflare's experimental marketplace, AI companies and publishers must both be set up with Cloudflare accounts. In their accounts, both parties can set rates at which they'd like to buy and sell a 'crawl' of the publisher's content. Cloudflare acts as the intermediary in these transactions, charging the AI company and distributing the earnings to the publisher. Cloudflare spokesperson Ripley Park tells TechCrunch there are no stablecoins or cryptocurrency involved in Pay per Crawl at this time, even though many have suggested digital currency would be perfect for something like this. Cloudflare's marketplace feels like a bold vision for the future that requires a lot of publishers and AI companies to get on board. Still, there's no guarantee publishers will get a good deal, and convincing AI firms to participate could be tough, given they're currently scraping content for free. Nevertheless, Cloudflare seems like one of the few companies in a position to make a marketplace like this happen.
Geeky Gadgets
5 days ago
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
How to Stop Your Spotify Premium Subscription
Canceling your Spotify Premium subscription is a straightforward process, but it requires specific steps that must be completed through the Spotify website. Unlike many other subscription services, Spotify does not allow you to manage or cancel your subscription directly through its mobile app. By following the outlined steps in the video below from Trevor Nace, you can ensure a smooth and efficient cancellation process while avoiding unnecessary confusion. Watch this video on YouTube. Step 1: Access the Spotify Website To initiate the cancellation process, open a web browser such as Chrome, Safari, or any other browser you prefer. Navigate to Spotify's official website by entering the URL directly or searching for it through a search engine. It is essential to ensure that you have a stable and secure internet connection to avoid interruptions during the process. Using a trusted device, such as your personal computer or smartphone, is recommended for added security. Step 2: Log Into Your Spotify Account Once you are on the Spotify website, log in using your account credentials, including your registered email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, you can use the 'Forgot Password' option to reset it. In some cases, Spotify may prompt you to complete an email verification step to confirm your identity. This added layer of security helps protect your account from unauthorized access. Ensure you have access to the email address linked to your Spotify account to complete this step without delays. Step 3: Navigate to Account Settings After successfully logging in, locate the account settings section. This can typically be accessed by clicking on your profile icon or the gear icon, usually located in the top-right corner of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select the 'View Account' option. This will redirect you to your account overview page, where you can manage various aspects of your Spotify account, including your subscription details. Step 4: Access Subscription Management On the account overview page, scroll down to find the section labeled 'Your Plan' or 'Subscription.' This section provides an overview of your current subscription plan, including payment details and renewal dates. To proceed, click on the 'Manage Your Subscription' option. This will open a new page where you can view additional details about your plan. To cancel your subscription, select the 'Cancel Premium' or 'Cancel Subscription' option. Spotify may display information about the benefits of staying subscribed, but you can proceed by confirming your intention to cancel. Step 5: Confirm Your Cancellation Spotify will guide you through a series of prompts to confirm your decision. These prompts are designed to ensure that you fully understand the implications of canceling your subscription. For instance, you may lose access to certain features such as offline listening, ad-free playback, and higher audio quality. Carefully follow the on-screen instructions and confirm your cancellation when prompted. Once completed, your subscription will be scheduled for cancellation at the end of your current billing cycle. What Happens After You Cancel? After canceling your Spotify Premium subscription, you will retain access to all premium features until the end of your current billing period. For example, if your billing date is the 20th of the month and you cancel on the 15th, you can continue enjoying premium benefits until the 20th. However, it is important to note that Spotify does not issue refunds for unused portions of your subscription. Therefore, timing your cancellation appropriately can help you maximize the value of your subscription. Once your subscription ends, your account will automatically revert to the free version of Spotify. This version includes ads, limited skips, and other restrictions compared to the premium experience. If you decide to resubscribe in the future, you can easily upgrade your account through the same subscription management section. Key Points to Keep in Mind Spotify Premium subscriptions can only be canceled through the Spotify website; the mobile app does not support subscription management. You may be required to complete an email verification step during the login process for security purposes. Access the 'View Account' section to locate and manage your subscription settings. Follow all on-screen prompts carefully to confirm your cancellation and avoid any errors. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle, but Spotify does not provide refunds for unused time. Additional Tips for Managing Your Subscription If you are unsure about canceling your Spotify Premium subscription, consider exploring alternative options such as downgrading to a different plan. Spotify offers various subscription tiers, including individual, family, and student plans, which may better suit your needs and budget. Additionally, you can take advantage of Spotify's free trial offers if you wish to test premium features before committing to a paid plan again. For users who experience technical difficulties during the cancellation process, contacting Spotify's customer support team can provide further assistance. The support team can help resolve issues related to account access, billing, or subscription management. By understanding the steps involved and keeping these tips in mind, you can manage your Spotify subscription effectively and make informed decisions about your account. Gain further expertise in Spotify Premium cancellation by checking out these recommendations. Source & Image Credit: Trevor Nace Filed Under: Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Daily Mail
WhatsApp has made a subtle change that has left users FURIOUS - as one vents it's 'hurting my eyes'
It's the everyday messaging app used by millions of people around the world. But WhatsApp has made a subtle change that has left users furious. The popular encrypted messaging service has launched an updated user interface for its web browser version. The update includes an all-black look and redesigned tabs for switching between different chats. This brings the web version much closer to the mobile app most users would be familiar with. However, some have been outraged by the new look for the iconic messaging service. Flocking to social media to share their complaints, one user vented that the redesign was 'hurting my eyes'. While another added: 'What the f*** is the new WhatsApp web look.' This update is entirely cosmetic and doesn't introduce any new features or change the way that messaging works. Upon opening the updated website for the first time, users are presented with a message which reads: 'Starting today, we're introducing a brand new design for WhatsApp Web. 'You'll notice that some things look completely different but everything works the same as before.' The most obvious difference is that the website's blue-grey background has been changed to a much darker colour, closer to that of the mobile app. The column of tabs on the left-hand side of the website no longer has lines to separate different chats and only highlights the currently open tab with a green outline. Additionally, a new 'Communities' icon has been added to the toolbar running along the far left of the screen. Although the changes are subtle, some fans have been upset to see the differences in their favourite messaging service. On X, formerly Twitter, one commenter raged: Another company ruining their apps. The new look is STRAIGHT UP BAD.' Compared to the old design (pictured), the new look is closer to the current aesthetics of the mobile app A commenter complained that the new WhatsApp look was 'STRAIGHT UP BAD' Another user suggested they were not convinced by the new darker look for WhatsApp Web 'New WhatsApp web look, OMG!', exclaimed another. While one commenter chimed in: 'Not sure I like the look of WhatsApp Web.' But not every WhatsApp user was unhappy to see the old design go as some fans took to social media to share their enthusiasm. One commenter wrote: 'I love this new WhatsApp web look and feel.' 'The new WhatsApp we ui is soooo beautiful,' another wrote. Another added: 'WhatsApp web UI updated almost a decade!!! Now it's clean and smooth.' However, the new update does not include many of the features that WhatsApp Web still lacks from the mobile version. Unlike the app, WhatsApp Web cannot upload status updates or change chat backgrounds. Another user said that they 'love' the new design But this is not the first time that a WhatsApp update has frustrated the service's users. Last month, WhatsApp's vast user base threatened to delete the app altogether after a particularly controversial change. The Meta-owned app said that it would start to introduce adverts for the first time. WhatsApp said adverts will be rolled out to all its users 'slowly over the next several months', regardless of what country they're in. However, the announcement caused an outpouring of rage as users branded the move Meta's 'dumbest idea ever'. One furious commenter wrote on X: 'WhatsApp is bringing ads. Its time to get back to Nokia 3310.' BEST WHATSAPP ALTERNATIVES If you're considering deleting WhatsApp, you'll be happy to hear that there are several alternative apps to choose from: 1. Telegram With more than 400 million users, Telegram is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives. While it looks very similar to WhatsApp, what sets it apart is the fact that it gives the option to set messages to self-destruct after a given period of time, leaving no trace. Telegram also offers end-to-end encryption. However, as a WhatsApp spokesperson pointed out, Telegram 'does not offer end-to-end encryption by default so it's not necessarily more secure than WhatsApp'. 2. Signal Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps, thanks to the fact that it is open-source. This means that the code for the app is publicly available to view, making it near-impossible for the app's creators to sneak in any backdoors that could allow governments or hackers to spy on your messages. 3. iMessage If you use an iPhone, you may consider simply switching to iMessage, Apple's own messaging app. The app has a number of impressive features included no character limits, the ability to send pictures and videos, and of course Apple's animated emoji feature, Animoji. Unfortunately, iMessage is only available for iPhone users, so you'll struggle to interact with anyone using an Android. 4. Google Messages Google's answer to iMessage is Google Messages, an Android-only messaging service. The app replaces your standard SMS app, and integrates with all of Google's apps and services, making it easy to share images or use Google Assistant. 5. Facebook Messenger If you were put off using WhatsApp due to its sharing of data with Facebook, Facebook Messenger may not be the best option for you.
