Search generative AI control · Search Console generative AI setting
The Search generative AI control is the Search Console setting that lets a site owner include or exclude their content from Google Search’s generative AI features: AI Overviews, AI Mode and the AI features in Discover. It has been rolled out to all sites since August 31, 2026.
Standalone definition · 48 words
Where is it and what does it offer?
It is set in Search Console under Settings, then Search generative AI. There are three choices: include the site’s links and content (the default), exclude them, or inherit the parent property’s setting. Inheritance follows the property hierarchy: a URL-prefix property takes its domain’s setting unless a closer owner changes it.
What does exclusion change?
Excluding a site keeps its links out of these features and keeps its content from grounding the generated answers. Google states that other sites’ content remains available, that the setting is not a ranking signal and that it does not govern model training, which falls under Google-Extended. The change generally takes a few days.
When should you use it?
The default suits sites that want visibility. Exclusion is worth discussing for licensed content or click-dependent business models, after measuring the effect with the Search Console generative AI report. To leave Google Search entirely, you need a noindex.
Frequently asked questions
Does this setting replace robots.txt or Google-Extended?
No. It acts on appearing in Search’s AI features. Google-Extended limits model training, and noindex removes the page from Google Search.
Does Google’s May 15, 2026 guide mention it?
Yes. To be eligible for generative AI features, a site must be included in them in Search Console, in addition to Search’s technical requirements.
Related terms
Further reading
- Google Search Console generative AI report: how to analyze it
- AI Overviews and AI Mode landed in France on July 22, 2026
- ← Back to the GEO glossary (114 terms)