Google expands anti-spam policy to include AI search results

Image credit: Abondance

Global search engine Google updated its anti-spam policy on May 15, 2026, to explicitly include generative AI responses in Search, signaling a crackdown on manipulative tactics in AI search.

The updated policy officially defines attempts to manipulate AI Overviews or AI Mode as spam, allowing Google to take action against sites employing prohibited practices to appear in these AI-generated results.

The company clarified that its existing anti-spam rules, which address issues such as keyword stuffing, artificial links, and duplicate content, now apply universally across all search formats. This includes both classic search rankings and AI-generated responses, Google said.

Barry Schwartz, a reporter for Search Engine Land, noted that the change directly addresses the increasing prevalence of “AI ranking” advice, some of which has promoted manipulative tactics.

Google’s previous anti-spam guidelines focused primarily on traditional web page rankings. The explicit inclusion of AI-generated content reflects the growing integration of generative AI within its core search product.

The company stated in a policy update that the move ensures fairness and relevance in AI Overviews and AI Mode, maintaining the integrity of its search results regardless of the format.

This policy extension is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to adapt its search algorithms and guidelines to new technologies, particularly as generative AI becomes a more prominent feature in how users interact with search engines.

Source: Abondance