Google has introduced a new Search generative AI control in Google Search Console. As of August 31, 2026, the control is available worldwide and allows website owners to manage whether their content can appear in Google's generative AI search experiences.

The control applies to AI Overviews, AI Mode, and generative AI features in Google Discover.

What Can You Control?

Website owners have three options:

  • Include: Allows Google to use eligible site content and links in generative AI search features.

  • Exclude: Prevents the site's content and links from appearing in these features.

  • Inherit: Follows the setting configured for a parent Search Console property.

The default setting is Include.

Does It Affect Google Rankings?

No. Google states that this control is not a ranking signal for traditional Google Search.

Excluding your website from generative AI features does not automatically remove pages from normal organic search results.

If you want to prevent a page from being indexed in Google Search, you need to use appropriate indexing controls such as noindex.

Where Can You Find It?

In Google Search Console:

Settings → Search generative AI

The setting is configured at the property level, so websites using multiple Search Console properties should also check whether a property is inheriting its setting from a parent.

What About AI Training?

This control is different from Google's controls related to AI model training.

Google states that the Search generative AI control does not control AI training. Website owners looking to restrict certain uses of their content for training should review Google's Google-Extended documentation separately.

Why Is This Important for SEO?

For websites investing in SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), this setting is worth checking.

Being included does not guarantee that a page will appear in an AI Overview or AI Mode response. However, choosing exclusion removes the site's eligibility for those generative AI search features.

Your priority should therefore be:

  • Keep important content technically accessible.

  • Publish original and useful information.

  • Demonstrate first-hand expertise.

  • Build strong topical coverage.

  • Use clear internal linking and structured content.

  • Monitor performance in Google Search Console.

Google also provides a Generative AI performance report, which can help website owners evaluate visibility and traffic from these experiences.

Key Takeaway

The new Search generative AI control gives website owners more control over their participation in Google's AI-powered search.

For businesses focused on organic visibility, the most important step is to check the setting in Search Console and understand whether the property is included, excluded, or inheriting a parent configuration.

The control manages AI search participation. It does not replace technical SEO, content quality, or traditional search optimization.