Google’s decision to axe its “first click free” policy on news search results this week has been hailed as a “victory” and the “first important step in recognising the value of legitimate journalism”.
The change in policyeffectively closes a loophole that meant news publishers whose online content is behind a paywall were forced to give-away articles clicked on through Google search results. The Wall Street Journal pulled out of the scheme earlier this year. Its owner News Corp is also the ultimate owner of the Times and Sunday Times newspapers, which also use a subscription-only model.