Google.com becomes second most-cited domain in AI Mode

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

Google.com emerged as the second most-cited domain within Google‘s AI Mode between April 15 and June 30, primarily driven by its Business Profile cards and Product Knowledge Panels, according to recent analysis.

The search giant’s own domain saw an 8.4-fold increase in its citation share in AI Mode during the 10-week period, signaling a significant shift in how the AI feature references information.

This surge propelled Google.com into the second position among all cited domains, a notable climb in its visibility within AI-generated responses.

The growth in citations was particularly pronounced in local searches, where Business Profile cards frequently appeared, and in product-related queries, which often featured Product Knowledge Panels, SE Ranking and Profound reported.

Profound suggested that the increased citation of Product Knowledge Panels could indicate Google’s development of a Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), aiming to integrate commerce more deeply into its search ecosystem.

A citation share reflects which domains Google’s AI Mode links to as sources for its information, but it does not directly correlate with traffic directed to those sites or guarantee direct site visits, SEJ noted.

Optimizing for Business Profiles and product feeds can help secure a presence in these cited cards, but it does not assure increased clicks or sales for external businesses, according to industry analysts.

Google has been steadily integrating its own properties into AI-generated search results, impacting the visibility of external brands and publishers.

Source: Search Engine Journal