Google has released its new “Generative AI” section in Search Console to all users, showing how often pages appear in AI-powered search features. The tool appears under Performance > Search Results > Generative AI and tracks visibility in AI Overviews, AI Mode, and generative AI elements within Discover, though it lacks filters and definitions for key metrics.
The data provides three metrics: URLs included in AI-generated responses, the number of impressions those URLs receive, and a breakdown of searchers’ locations and devices. It does not indicate which specific search feature generated the impressions, nor does it allow filtering by feature, leaving site owners uncertain about where their content surfaces.
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Impressions count whenever a URL appears in an AI answer, regardless of whether users see it. John Mueller explained that an impression is logged even if the URL is hidden behind multiple clicks, such as the “Show More” or “Show All” buttons in AI Overviews. This means a page can accumulate impressions without ever being viewed.
For instance, URLs behind “Show More” in AI Overviews still register impressions. The same applies to “Show All,” which expands the full list of cited sources. In “People also ask” boxes, impressions are only recorded if a user clicks a question to reveal the answer.
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The absence of click-through data makes it hard to determine whether AI visibility drives real traffic. Site owners can download top-performing URLs from the standard Search Results report and compare them against the Generative AI section’s impression data. Pages with high traditional traffic but low AI visibility might need adjustments to better fit AI-generated answers. Those with strong AI impressions but weak organic traffic could improve with updated content or better internal linking.
The launch reflects Google’s effort to integrate AI into search, but the current data has gaps. Without clearer definitions or useful filters, the tool offers limited value. Site owners must piece together insights from incomplete metrics or wait for potential updates.
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Impressions alone cannot reveal the full impact. Whether Google will improve the tool remains uncertain.
