Welcome to Pulse of the Week: updates on how you measure AI search visibility, or opt out of it, and how a comprehensive update has reshaped the rankings.
Here is what is important to you and your work.
Google Adds AI Search Controls and Reports to Search Console
Google is testing two new Search Console features for AI-powered searches. Modifiers allow you to control whether your site appears in AI Overview and AI Mode. Dedicated performance reports show how your URLs are performing in AI features across Search and Discover.
Important facts: Reports include impressions, pages, countries, devices, and dates with hourly granularity. Click data is not included. Google says it works with website owners to decide which metrics to add next. Both of these features are being rolled out to a set of UK websites first.
Why This Matters
Until now, AI-driven visibility has been integrated into the traditional Search console data without disaggregating it. The new reports give you a dedicated view of which pages appeared within AI responses and in which countries.
Impressions tell you how many times your pages appeared, but not whether anyone clicked. That gap has been a key question in AI search rankings for more than a year. This presentation does not close yet.
What SEO Experts Say
In a LinkedIn post, Glenn Gabe, President of G-Squared Interactive, wrote:
“AI reporting is coming to GSC! Amazing! No click data. NOT AMAZING.”
Read our full story: Google Tests Dedicated AI Search Reports in Search Console
UK Regulator Requires Google to Let Publishers Opt Out of Search AI
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has imposed an ethical requirement on Google under its digital markets regime. Publishers will be able to opt out of having their content used in AI search features.
Important facts: Google should allow websites to opt out of AI Overviews and AI Mode, opting out will not harm their ranking in general search results. Google should also allow publishers to opt out of content used to train AI models. They have nine months to comply
Why This Matters
This is the first time that the controller requires the separation of the participation of the AI feature from the standard search index. Publishers have been asking for this since the introduction of AI Overview. The only previous option also removed them from the standard snippet.
UK publishers now have a mechanism to fall back on controls that Google voluntarily offers elsewhere. The CMA says it will announce further action on Google’s search business in the coming weeks.
What Search Industry Experts Say
In a LinkedIn post, Stuart Forrest, former Global SEO Director of Publishing at Bauer Media, wrote:
“CMA declared a win for publishers in AI search but this is a win for Google.”
Todd Davies, Competition Law PhD Candidate at University College London, wrote:
“In my opinion, the ability to exit is more than just a consolation prize for publishers.”
Read our full story: Google Must Allow Websites Out of AI Search Features in the UK
Google’s May 2026 Major Update Ends After Dynamic Release
Google’s main May update finished rolling out on June 2, which took 11 days.
Important facts: Third-party tracking tools showed high volatility in several areas during the release. Google’s guidance suggests waiting at least a week after a major update ends before analyzing data.
Why This Matters
This update is the fourth confirmed installation in the Google Status Dashboard this year. That’s about one confirmed level-related event every six weeks so far.
Some doctors reported that they regained traditional levels while losing visibility to AI-generated responses from the same update. That distinction means examining both areas, not just living areas.
What SEO Experts Say
In a LinkedIn post, Aleyda Solís, SEO Consultant and founder of Orainti, posted:
“Equality of source type is more important than authority alone.”
Danielle Pardoe, AI and eCommerce Marketing Expert, Founder of Infinity1 and TradieM8, commented:
“We’ve seen customers get traditional standards but still lose the placement of AI responses from the same update.”
Read our full story: Google’s May Core Update Ends After Variable Release
Google Launches Creator Search Profiles
Google has introduced Search Profiles, a customizable page that brings together creators’ YouTube channels, social accounts, and links in one place on Google Search.
Important facts: Creators need at least 100,000 followers on YouTube, Instagram, or X to qualify. TikTok needs 300,000. Search Profiles are currently only available in the United States. Searching for a profile may trigger the creation of a profile or enhance an existing one.
Why This Matters
The profile also serves to connect people with additional content from websites they follow. If you follow a publisher through their profile, you may see more of their content on Discover.
The 100,000 follower minimum leaves out many independent creators and small publishers. That limitation limits the feature to established accounts, at least initially.
Read our full story: Google Launches Search Profiles for Creators With 100K Followers
Theme of the Week: AI Search Visibility Begins to Find Infrastructure
For more than a year, two questions have defined AI search for publishers. How do you know you’re in it, and can you control whether you’re in it?
This week brought answers in two ways. Google has started releasing dedicated AI performance reports and evaluating the evolution of the search console. The UK has placed a legal obligation on Google. Among them, the infrastructure to manage your AI search presence has started to move from idea to reality, even if the tools are still limited in scope.
Top Stories of the Week:
Additional resources:
Featured image: PeopleImages/Shutterstock
