Search Console generative AI report
38 established claims - 10 refused by the grounding gate
Verdict
Google's stated methodology since August 15, 2024 is that AI Overviews are counted and logged in the overall Search Console Performance report, a documentation clarification only. On June 3, 2026, Google announced the launch of dedicated Search Console generative AI performance reports for Search and Discover, rolling them out to a subset of websites before wider availability. The Search report includes impressions, pages, countries, dates, and devices; the Discover report includes pages, countries, and dates, with one impression counted per result per session. Google says this generative AI data continues to be tracked in the overall performance report, and third-party coverage reports no click data, CTR, average position, or query-level breakdown; one article says the initial Google rollout is limited to a subset of UK site owners, while Google's announcement only specifies a subset of websites.
Written from the 38 established claims below, then checked against them. How that works.
Documented position26
What the operator of the system says in its own documentation.
Google's guide to optimizing for generative AI features on Search…
- was last updated on 2026-07-10.
- directs site owners to the Generative AI performance report in Search Console to measure how their content is performing in generative AI features on Google Search and Discover.
2 quotes from 1 source
To measure how your content is performing in generative AI features on Google Search and Discover, use the Generative AI performance report in Search Console.
Last updated 2026-07-10 UTC.
Google's guide to optimizing for generative AI features on Search…
- warns readers to be wary of third-party tools that promise ranking success or claim to use internal Google metrics.
- states that no third-party tool has access to Google's internal ranking or AI systems.
1 quote from 1 source
Be wary of third-party tools that promise ranking success or claim to use "internal" Google metrics. No third-party tool has access to our internal ranking or AI systems.
Google's June 2026 announcement states that the new Search Console reports are designed to give dedicated views of a site's impressions within generative AI features…
- on Search, such as AI Overviews and AI Mode.
- in Discover.
1 quote from 1 source
The new Search Console reports are designed to give you dedicated views of your impressions within generative AI features on Search, such as AI Overviews and AI Mode, as well as generative AI features in Discover.
- Google's June 2026 announcement states that the generative AI data is included in the overall Search Console performance report.
- The generative AI data will continue to be tracked in the overall Search Console performance report to give site owners an overview of their site's overall visibility in Google Search.
1 quote from 1 source
This data is included in the overall performance report, where it will continue to be tracked to give site owners an overview of the overall visibility of their site in Google Search. Today, we are launching a separate view dedicated to visibility from generative AI features.
Google's June 2026 announcement states that the…
- generative AI performance reports are being rolled out to a subset of websites.
- purpose of rolling out the generative AI performance reports to a subset of websites is to allow Google to thoroughly test the reports and receive feedback.
- generative AI performance reports will be made widely available after the testing and feedback.
1 quote from 1 source
We are rolling these reports out to a subset of websites, allowing us to thoroughly test them and receive feedback before making them widely available.
Google's June 2026 announcement lists the information shown by the new generative AI performance reports as Impressions, Pages, Countries, Devices and Dates.
6 quotes from 1 source
To help you understand how pages from your site are shown, our new reports show the following information:
Impressions: How often URLs from your site appeared in generative AI features in Search and Discover.
Pages: Check which URLs appeared within AI features.
Countries: Understand your visibility on a country basis.
Devices: Identify the devices people are using when seeing your website (available for Search results).
Dates: Monitor your performance over time with hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly granularity.
Search Console generative AI report…
- documents that Google is continuing to work with website owners to understand what insights and data would be most helpful.
- gives adding additional metrics over time as an example of the insights and data that would be most helpful.
1 quote from 1 source
We're continuing to work with website owners to understand what insights and data would be most helpful to inform their strategies, such as adding additional metrics over time.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Search) states that the report includes impressions for the generative AI capability AI…
- Overviews on Google Search.
- Mode on Google Search.
4 quotes from 1 source
The generative AI performance report includes impressions for the following generative AI capabilities on Google Search:
AI Overviews
AI Mode
We expect to update this list over time as we develop Google Search.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Search) states that the reason for excluding Search Labs experiments from the generative AI performance report is that those experiments are still in active development.
1 quote from 1 source
Note: Search Console doesn't include data from experiments in Search Labs, as these experiments are still in active development.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Search) documents four dimensions for grouping the report's table data: Pages, Countries, Dates and Devices.
5 quotes from 1 source
You can choose a dimension by selecting the appropriate tab above the table:
Pages: Groups data by the final URL linked by a generative AI feature after any redirects.
Countries: Groups data by the country where the search originated.
Dates: Groups your data by days, weeks, or months (based on the selected time granularity).
Devices: Groups data by the type of device on which the user is searching: desktop, tablet, or mobile.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Search) states that the report's chart displays total impressions for the property over the selected time period.
1 quote from 1 source
The chart displays total impressions for your property over the selected time period.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Search) defines impressions in the report as how many times links to a site were shown to a user in a generative AI feature on Google Search.
1 quote from 1 source
The default view of the report shows impression data for your site in the supported features. Impressions are how many times links to your site were shown to a user in a generative AI feature on Google Search.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Search) states that, as in the performance report, most performance data in the generative AI report is assigned to a page's canonical URL rather than to a duplicate URL.
1 quote from 1 source
Pages: Groups data by the final URL linked by a generative AI feature after any redirects. Just like the performance report, most performance data in this report is assigned to the page's canonical URL, not to a duplicate URL.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Search) states that the usual Search performance report data limitations, including the 1,000 row limitation, also apply to the generative AI performance report.
1 quote from 1 source
Note that the usual data limitations (1,000 row limitation, time period, etc) for the Search performance report also apply to this report; refer to the Search performance documentation for details.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Discover) documents Pages, Countries and Dates as the three dimensions for grouping that report's data.
4 quotes from 1 source
You can choose a dimension by selecting the appropriate tab above the table:
Pages: The page that served as the source of the information shown to the user.
Countries: The country where the content was viewed.
Dates: Groups your data by days, weeks, or months (based on the selected time granularity).
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Discover) states that only one impression is counted per result per session.
1 quote from 1 source
Only one impression is counted per result per session; if a user scrolls past a card and then scrolls back, only one impression is recorded.
Google's Search Console Help page for the Search generative AI control states that including a site's links and content in Search generative AI features is the default control for all properties.
1 quote from 1 source
Include my site's links and content in Search generative AI features: Your site's content can appear in Search generative AI features, including showing up as links and helping to ground AI responses in these features. Your site can receive impressions and traffic from these features. This is the default control for all properties.
Google's Search Console Help page for the Search generative AI control states that the control isn't used as a ranking or inclusion signal affecting other parts of Search.
1 quote from 1 source
This control only affects whether your content can appear in certain Search generative AI features; this control isn't used as a ranking or inclusion signal affecting other parts of Search.
Changed on5
A dated change. This is where advice quietly stops being true.
- Google announced the launch of the Search Console generative AI report.
- The announcement of the Search Console generative AI report was made in a Search Central blog post.
- The Search Central blog post announcing the Search Console generative AI report was dated Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
2 quotes from 1 source
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Today, we're excited to announce the launch of new Search Generative AI performance reports in Search Console, including dedicated reports for Search and Discover, to help you understand your site's visibility within generative AI features on Search.
- Google's Search Central documentation changelog records that on August 15, 2024 Google clarified that AI Overviews are counted and logged in the Search Console Performance report.
- Google described the August 15, 2024 clarification about AI Overviews in Search Console as a documentation clarification on methodology only and not a change in Search Console reports.
3 quotes from 1 source
August 15
Clarifying how AI Overviews are logged in Search Console
What: Clarified that AI Overviews are counted and logged in Search Console in the Performance report. This is a documentation clarification on methodology only, and not a change in Search Console reports.
Echoed without a primary source7
Widely repeated in the field, but traceable only to other repetitions. Listed because knowing something is merely echoed is worth as much as knowing it is documented.
An article published at neilpatel.com states that…
- data in the Search Console generative AI report begins from May 18, 2026.
- there is no historical backfill for the data in the Search Console generative AI report.
2 quotes from 1 source
Data begins from May 18, 2026; there is no historical backfill.
The report currently has no historical data before May 18, 2026, which means the earlier you establish your first benchmarks, the more useful comparative data you will have going forward.
An article published at neilpatel.com states that the Search Console generative AI report tracks impressions only, with no click data, no CTR, no average position and no query-level breakdown.
2 quotes from 1 source
The most significant limitation of the current report is that it tracks impressions only. There is no click data, no CTR, no average position, and no query-level breakdown.
Click data is not included in the current version, which is the most significant limitation.
An article published at weblumino.com states that the Search Console generative AI reporting…
- includes impressions, pages, countries, devices and dates.
- does not include click data.
1 quote from 1 source
The reporting includes impressions, pages, countries, devices, and dates, but does not include click data. Google won’t be telling us how many searchers click from AI responses in Google Search to sites.
An article published at weblumino.com states that…
- Google's generative AI report is currently limited to a subset of UK site owners.
- Bing Webmaster Tools' AI performance report is global.
1 quote from 1 source
It’s also worth noting the competitive context: Bing Webmaster Tools has already released its AI performance report. Neither Google’s nor Bing’s reports have click data, but at least Bing’s report is global, while Google’s report is currently a subset of UK site owners.
Refused10
Claims the research produced that the grounding gate would not accept, with its reason. They are here because a site that only shows what passed gives you no way to judge whether the gate does anything.
Show what was refused
The Search Console generative AI report was introduced by Microsoft in Bing Webmaster Tools in a Bing Webmaster Blog post dated February 10 2026.
Refused: The quotes introduce 'AI Performance in Bing Webmaster Tools,' not a 'Search Console generative AI report.'
Unsupported: Search Console generative AI report
What it rested on
February 10 2026
Introducing AI Performance in Bing Webmaster Tools Public Preview
We are happy to introduce AI Performance in Bing Webmaster Tools, a new set of insights that shows how publisher content appears across Microsoft Copilot, AI-generated summaries in Bing, and select partner integrations.
The Search Console generative AI report was described by Microsoft as a new set of insights showing how publisher content appears across Microsoft Copilot, AI-generated summaries in Bing, and select partner integrations.
Refused: The quote describes 'AI Performance in Bing Webmaster Tools,' not a 'Search Console generative AI report.'
Unsupported: Search Console generative AI report
What it rested on
February 10 2026
Introducing AI Performance in Bing Webmaster Tools Public Preview
We are happy to introduce AI Performance in Bing Webmaster Tools, a new set of insights that shows how publisher content appears across Microsoft Copilot, AI-generated summaries in Bing, and select partner integrations.
On June 16, 2025, data from AI Mode began counting towards the totals in the Search Console Performance report.
Refused: The quotes support June 16 and AI Mode counting toward Search Console Performance totals but do not state the year 2025.
Unsupported: 2025
What it rested on
June 16
AI Mode is now counting towards totals in Search Console
Why: Data from AI Mode is now counting towards the totals in the Search Console Performance report.
The Search Console generative AI report states that Microsoft's AI Performance in Bing Webmaster Tools includes a 'Grounding queries' metric.
Refused: The quotes are from a Bing Webmaster blog about AI Performance and show 'Grounding queries,' but none is from or attributes the statement to a Search Console generative AI report.
Unsupported: Search Console generative AI report states
What it rested on
Grounding queries
Shows the key phrases the AI used when retrieving content that was referenced in AI-generated answers. The data shown represents a sample of overall citation activity.
The Search Console generative AI report states that the 'Grounding queries' metric shows the key phrases the AI used when retrieving content that was referenced in AI-generated answers.
Refused: The quotes are from a Bing Webmaster blog and define the metric, but no cited quote attributes this statement to a Search Console generative AI report.
Unsupported: The Search Console generative AI report states
What it rested on
Grounding queries
Shows the key phrases the AI used when retrieving content that was referenced in AI-generated answers. The data shown represents a sample of overall citation activity.
Microsoft's AI Performance in Bing Webmaster Tools reports a "Total Citations" metric, being the total number of citations displayed as sources in AI-generated answers during the selected time frame.
Refused: Quotes define Total Citations for AI Performance in Bing Webmaster Tools, but none mention a Search Console report.
Unsupported: Search Console generative AI report
What it rested on
Total Citations
Shows the total number of citations that are displayed as sources in AI-generated answers during the selected time frame. This highlights how often your content is referenced by AI systems, without indicating placement or presentation within a specific answer.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Search) states that Search Console does not include data from experiments in Search Labs in the generative AI performance report.
Refused: The quote does not specify that this note is from the generative AI performance report page, only that Search Console excludes data from Search Labs.
Unsupported: Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Search)
What it rested on
Note: Search Console doesn't include data from experiments in Search Labs, as these experiments are still in active development.
Google's Search Console Help page for the generative AI performance report (Discover) states that a user who scrolls past a card and then scrolls back has only one impression recorded.
Refused: The quote directly supports the scroll-back impression statement, but no cited quote or source label mentions Discover.
Unsupported: (Discover)
What it rested on
Only one impression is counted per result per session; if a user scrolls past a card and then scrolls back, only one impression is recorded.
The Search Console generative AI report states that in AI Mode a follow-up question is treated as a new query.
Refused: The quote is from a news article, not from the report itself, so it does not establish that the report made the statement.
Unsupported: The Search Console generative AI report states
What it rested on
Google’s counting rules also vary by feature. In AI Overviews, a link must be scrolled or expanded into view before it counts as an impression. In AI Mode, a follow-up question is treated as a new query, and links shown in the subsequent response can generate additional impressions.
The Search Console generative AI report states that links shown in the subsequent response can generate additional impressions.
Refused: The cited quote is from Search Engine Journal and does not attribute the statement to a Search Console generative AI report.
Unsupported: The Search Console generative AI report states
What it rested on
Google’s counting rules also vary by feature. In AI Overviews, a link must be scrolled or expanded into view before it counts as an impression. In AI Mode, a follow-up question is treated as a new query, and links shown in the subsequent response can generate additional impressions.