If you manage a website or work in digital marketing, you are likely eager to know exactly how much traffic your site receives from Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode. However, Google has clarified that there is currently no official timeline for adding separate click and query data for AI features in Google Search Console.
Despite this, pressure is mounting as a UK regulatory deadline fast approaches. Here is a clear, simple breakdown of what is happening in the world of AI Search & GEO.
What Google’s Team Had to Say
The discussion started after an SEO professional shared a post on LinkedIn referencing an unnamed Google representative who reportedly claimed that AI click and query data would eventually land in Search Console.
Google’s Gary Illyes responded directly to clear up the confusion, stating:
“The team is super interested in giving more data, data that makes sense, but we don’t have anything to announce yet.”
In a separate discussion on Bluesky, Google’s John Mueller added that there is plenty of useful data not yet available in Search Console, noting that what qualifies as “helpful data” evolves continuously over time.
How Search Console Tracks AI Search Traffic Right Now
Currently, AI search tracking in Search Console is split across two different reporting views:
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Generative AI Report: Tracks impressions only (how often your pages appear in AI Overviews or AI Mode). You can break this down by date, country, device, and landing page. However, it does not show clicks, queries, or click-through rates (CTR).
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Standard Performance Report: Any clicks generated from AI Overviews or AI Mode are lumped together with your regular organic search clicks. There is currently no filter to separate AI-driven clicks from standard web search clicks.
For website owners evaluating their overall visibility, understanding SEO Tools: Free vs Paid Options can help fill some of these data gaps while native reporting remains limited.
The UK Regulatory Pressure (CMA Deadline)
While Google has not announced new reporting features, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has introduced guidelines requiring Google to provide publishers with detailed engagement metrics.
Under the CMA guidelines, Google must:
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Provide a clear breakdown of impressions, clicks, and CTR for AI features.
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Distinguish clearly between traffic coming from standard organic search versus AI search tools (like AI Overviews and AI Mode).
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Comply with these requirements by December 3.
Because the CMA expects this data to be accessible through standard platforms like Google Search Console, Google will soon need to implement a solution at least for UK users and publishers.
What This Means for Website Owners and Marketers
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For Now: You will have to rely primarily on impression data within the Generative AI report to estimate your visibility in AI search features.
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Looking Ahead: If Google rolls out new click reporting to comply with UK rules, there is a strong chance these reporting tools will eventually expand to users worldwide.
To stay ahead of these algorithmic shifts, explore our comprehensive guide on Google AI Overviews Strategy to optimize your site’s content for maximum AI visibility.
Key Takeaway
Until Google updates Search Console to separate AI clicks from traditional organic search clicks, tracking the exact ROI of AI Overviews remains a challenge. Keep an eye out toward early December as regulatory deadlines may push Google to share more data sooner than expected.
SURBHI THAPA
Surbhi Thapa is an SEO specialist focused on SEO strategy and content optimization.
Surbhi Thapa is an SEO specialist focused on SEO strategy and content optimization.