Google announced it will add a toggle in Search Console allowing website owners to exclude their sites from appearing in AI-driven search features like AI Overviews and AI Mode. The new feature was first revealed to begin testing this week with a small group of UK domain owners before a planned global rollout [1].
Sites that use the toggle to opt out will not receive traffic or impressions from Google's generative AI search features. However, Google said opting out will not affect listings or rankings on regular Google Search results outside of the AI-enhanced features [2, 1].
Google also introduced new Search Console insights that will provide metrics identifying which pages show up in AI search results and the countries where these appearances occur [1]. This addition aims to give site owners more transparency about how their content is presented within AI search formats.
Despite Google's assurances, some website owners remain skeptical that opting out will not indirectly hurt their traffic or search rankings. There are concerns about potential penalties or hidden impacts and worries about Google's use of their content for AI training beyond their control [2].
Publishers have expressed unease about declining referral traffic from traditional search and the growing prominence of Google's AI search features, which they perceive as altering the role of classic search results [2, 1].
On August 19, Google began testing the opt-out toggle with select UK domains, marking the first step toward wider availability [1]. The company has set no specific timing yet for the global launch but said the test phase will inform further rollout.
Site owners interested in managing their presence in AI search can access the toggle through Search Console during the pilot. The new Search Console insights will provide deeper data on AI feature exposure moving forward [1].