Google rolls out global AI performance reports, opt-out controls

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

Google completed the worldwide rollout of its generative artificial intelligence (AI) performance reports and opt-out controls in Search Console on August 31, 2026, providing website owners with new transparency and management over AI-driven search features.

The global deployment offers website administrators detailed insights into how their content performs within AI Overviews, AI Mode, and generative AI features embedded in Discover, addressing calls for greater control over Google‘s search functionalities.

The new reports categorize impressions by page, country, and date, with a specific breakdown by device for data originating from Google Search. This granular data aims to help site owners understand the impact of generative AI on their visibility, Google said.

Google stated that the reports currently do not include click data, a feature that the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) expects Google to introduce by March 2027.

A property-specific opt-out control is now available, allowing websites to exclude their links and content from these generative AI features. Opting out means sites will not receive traffic or impressions from AI Overviews or AI Mode.

The opt-out setting does not influence AI training, which is governed by the Google-Extended control, nor does it function as a ranking signal within standard search results, according to Google.

The CMA had previously mandated that Google provide websites with the ability to opt out of AI search features without incurring penalties in their standard search rankings. The regulatory body also anticipates Google will implement page-level controls for generative AI features by March 2027.

The rollout marks a significant development in how website owners can manage their presence within Google’s generative AI ecosystem, offering tools to analyze performance and control content visibility.

Source: Search Engine Journal