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Perplexity AI has launched a revenue-sharing model for publishers in response to recent plagiarism accusations. The initiative, known as the “Publishers Program,” marks a significant shift for the AI startup, which has faced criticism from media outlets including Forbes and Wired.
The controversy began in June when Forbes discovered a plagiarized version of its content within Perplexity AI’s Pages tool, with minimal attribution. Wired later reported similar issues, including evidence of repeated visits from an IP address linked to Perplexity. These findings raised concerns about the startup’s use of copyrighted material.
The new program involves sharing a flat percentage of advertising revenue with publishers whenever their content is cited in responses generated by Perplexity AI. The revenue share is based on the number of articles used in a response; for example, if three articles from a single publisher are cited, that publisher will receive revenue for each article.
Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity’s chief business officer, confirmed the share is a double-digit percentage but did not specify the exact rate. The company aims to enroll 30 publishers by the end of the year and is exploring partnerships with publishers’ ad sales teams to integrate ad sales across Perplexity’s platform.
The Publishers Program also includes API credits for publishers and collaboration with ScalePost.ai for analytics, providing deeper insights into how Perplexity cites their content. Shevelenko noted that the program’s development began in January and involved a dedicated team of five employees.
The initiative comes amid a broader dispute between AI startups and media organizations over the use of copyrighted content. Lawsuits have been filed against companies like OpenAI and Microsoft for alleged copyright infringement, with some publishers seeking legal action to protect their intellectual property.
Conversely, some media outlets have chosen to partner with AI companies. For example, OpenAI and Time magazine announced a multi-year content deal in June, granting OpenAI access to Time’s extensive archives. OpenAI also secured a partnership with News Corp. in May, allowing access to articles from The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, Barron’s, and other publications.
Perplexity’s new revenue-sharing model represents a proactive approach to address concerns and build stronger relationships with publishers, seeking to balance the interests of AI technology and traditional media.