Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in fake news websites that copy content from established media outlets. These sites often hitched a ride on the credibility of real news, republishing articles without permission. The jump in AI tools has made it even easier for these bad actors to create and share low-quality content.
According to a report from media watchdog NewsGuard, the number of websites filled with AI-generated content surged significantly in 2023. Just last February, there were 725 such sites. By early 2025, that number had skyrocketed to at least 1,150. Shouvik Paul from Copyleaks, a company that detects AI-generated content, noted that many of these websites might be foreign and operate in shady ways, making it hard to keep track of them.
In some cases, legitimate media sites are also experimenting with AI-generated articles. For instance, Sports Illustrated has published content that was allegedly created by AI. Additionally, some URL traders have bought the domains of struggling media brands, turning them into AI content mills. This often means replacing quality journalism with poorly written pieces.
These fake sites can cause real-world chaos. In one instance, an AI-generated announcement for a Halloween parade in Dublin led to crowds showing up for an event that didn’t exist. This kind of misinformation highlights the danger these sites pose.
Paul described the tactics used by these sites as akin to phishing. Some pretend to be legitimate outlets, like a Fox news site mimicking a real one in Nigeria, but instead of news, they’re filled with dubious pop-up ads. Despite looking suspicious, many of these sites make money through automated programmatic advertising, drawing ads from reputable brands without a direct relationship.
This trend is especially concerning at a time when trust in media is already waning. These fake content mills not only spread misinformation but also take away advertising revenue from honest news organizations, creating a troubling scenario for the information landscape.
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