If you’ve been keeping an eye on the latest updates from Google, you might’ve seen the news about the recent Google Search Console update and AI Overviews. If not, no worries, we’re here to break it down for you
Google recently shared an important clarification about how AI Overviews are handled in Google Search Console’s Performance report. If you’ve been wondering how these AI-generated summaries fit into your site’s metrics, we’ve got you covered.
What’s the Latest Google’s Search Console August 2024 Update?
Google has confirmed that AI Overviews (the handy summaries you sometimes see at the top of search results) are being tracked and logged in your Google Search Console’s Performance report. This means that impressions, clicks, and positions related to the AI Overview your website ranked are recorded, just like any other search feature, such as featured snippets or carousels.
What exactly is an AI Overview?
In case you’re not familiar, an AI Overview is the brief, generated summary that appears in your Google search results to give users quick answers or insights. They’re designed to provide useful information right at the top, making it easier for users to find what they’re looking for.
Why this matters to you?
If you regularly analyze your Google Search Console data (and who doesn’t?), it’s good to know that interactions with AI Overviews are included in your performance metrics. This clarification ensures that you understand how these elements contribute to your site’s overall visibility and user engagement. The metrics relating to Google’s AI Overview that will factor into your report are as follows.
- Clicks
- Impressions
- Positions
What’s Changing? (Hint: Nothing)
It’s important to note that this is not a new feature or update to how data is collected. Google console has been tracking AI Overview in this way all along. The only thing that’s changed is the clarity in the documentation, ensuring you’re fully informed about how your site’s performance is measured.
Why Did Google Make This Clarification?
Transparency is key in digital marketing, and Google wants to ensure you have a complete understanding of how your site’s interactions are logged. By clarifying that AI Overviews are treated like other search result features, Google helps you accurately interpret your Performance report data.
Final Takeaway: Keep Doing What You’re Doing
There’s no need to adjust your SEO strategy in response to this update, everything is business as usual. However, it’s valuable to know that your appearance in AI Overview is being accounted for in your site’s metrics. This insight allows you to continue optimizing with confidence, knowing that all aspects of your search performance are being accurately tracked.
As always, stay informed, keep optimizing, and here’s to climbing those search rankings!
Until the next update!
