Playbook: read Search Console’s new AI report without fooling yourself

Google says that as of Aug. 31, 2026, its generative AI performance reports in Search Console have rolled out to all websites worldwide. They show impressions from AI Overviews, AI Mode and generative AI features in Discover, broken down by page, country and date (the Search report adds device). They don’t include clicks, and sites with too few AI impressions may not see a report.

The Search generative AI control, a property-level opt-out, went global on the same date. Google says sites that opt out get no traffic or impressions from those features, that the setting isn’t used as a ranking signal elsewhere in Search, and that AI training is governed separately by Google-Extended.

The steps

1. 01

   Open the report

   In Search Console, look under Performance for the generative AI section. No report usually means too few AI impressions, not an error.

2. 02

   Find the pages that show up

   Sort pages by AI impressions. For local sites these are often service and location pages; note which ones.

3. 03

   Compare with clicks elsewhere

   Put AI impressions next to the regular performance report for the same pages. Treat it as visibility, not revenue.

4. 04

   Don’t rush the opt-out

   Opting out removes your pages from these features entirely. Only consider it with a clear reason and client sign-off.

5. 05

   Report it plainly

   Add one line to monthly reports: “Seen in Google’s AI answers X times (no click data yet).”

Template: a copy-ready checklist for this playbook is coming soon.