Google allows websites to opt out of AI features after UK mandate

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

Google is rolling out a new Search Console setting that enables website owners to exclude their content from AI Overviews, AI Mode, and Discover’s AI features, a move influenced by UK regulators.

The new control offers website publishers greater autonomy over how their content is utilized within Google‘s generative artificial intelligence features, fulfilling a requirement imposed by the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The CMA had mandated that Google provide websites with more control over the use of their content in generative AI applications, according to statements from the regulatory body.

However, opting out of these AI features might inadvertently remove content from traditional search elements, such as Top Stories carousels, when those elements are embedded within AI Overviews, according to NewzDash CEO John Shehata.

NewzDash data indicated that Top Stories carousels are currently rendering inside AI Overviews for 15.5 percent of U.S. trending news results and 17.46 percent of UK results.

The new control is being gradually introduced to a subset of website owners and does not function as a ranking or inclusion signal for other Search features, Google stated.

Google expects to respect changes made via the new setting starting June 17, with content removal from AI features typically taking a few days to process.

The setting specifically addresses content use in AI Overviews and related AI features, not affecting AI training. AI training is managed by a separate control, the Google-Extended robots.txt token, the company clarified.

Source: Search Engine Journal