Should I opt out of Google's AI features, and what happens if I do?

Q: Should I opt out of Google's AI features, and what happens if I do?

For most businesses, no. Since 31 August 2026, Search Console lets every site choose whether its content appears in AI Overviews, AI Mode and AI features in Discover. Opting out means your site gets no traffic or impressions from those features at all.

How does the control work?

In Search Console, under Settings and "Search generative AI", you can include your site (the default), exclude it, or inherit the setting from a parent property.

Sources: Search Console Help: Search generative AI control

What happens if I exclude my site?

Google says your content won't be shown in those features, won't be linked from them and won't be used to ground their answers.

"You won't receive any traffic or impressions from these features."

— Search Console Help, Search generative AI control. Read the source

Sources: Search Console Help: Search generative AI control

Who might want to opt out?

Mainly publishers whose business depends on people reading full articles. For a clinic, law firm or service business, being named in the AI answer is usually the goal, so opting out would hand that space to competitors.