June 2025, Google has officially begun including AI Mode traffic in Search Console performance reports, marking a significant development for SEO professionals tracking organic visibility in the age of generative search.
The Google AI Mode update, rolled out quietly in early June, allows webmasters to see how much of their site’s traffic is coming from AI-powered results, a data point that was previously absent from reporting tools.
What Is Google AI Mode?
Google AI Mode powers the AI-generated responses users now see at the top of certain search results, similar to AI Overviews. These results are generated using the query fan-out approach, where Google pulls answers from a wide range of sources to synthesize responses.
To learn more about what Google AI Mode stands for and why it is needed, check out our latest blog for a thorough understanding - Search Just Flipped the Switch: Welcome to Google's AI Mode
Until now, traffic from these AI summaries was not accounted for in the Google Search Console report, creating a blind spot for many digital marketers. With this update, AI Mode data Google collects is now part of the performance metrics.
Details of the Google Search Console AI Update
According to official documentation and industry sources, the update means that AI Mode search console metrics will now include:
- Clicks: from links embedded within AI summaries.
- Impressions: When your site is featured in AI-generated content.
- Average Position: reflecting placement in AI results.
- Follow-up Queries: counted in rankings due to conversational search threads.
This change affects the "Web" search type in Search Console AI Mode traffic is now treated as part of standard organic search.
Why does AI Mode Reporting in Google Search Console Matter for SEO?
For the first time, SEO teams can monitor how AI-driven responses contribute to traffic, click-through rates, and keyword visibility. AI Mode reporting brings long-awaited clarity to how generative AI affects search presence.
With the increasing presence of Google AI features in the SERPs, accurate data from the Google Search Console AI interface is crucial for measuring performance and making optimization decisions.
Best Practices & Implications For AI Mode SEO Strategies
No new schema or markup is needed to appear in AI Mode. AI Mode SEO strategies remain rooted in strong fundamentals: clear site architecture, quality content, and mobile performance.
Marketers are advised to:
- Monitor for discrepancies between direct and organic traffic.
- Use both Search Console and Analytics to assess traffic shifts.
- Track CTR and position trends closely post-update.
Limitations Remain For AI Mode Reporting
Despite the update, AI Mode data in Google is not broken out as a separate category. It remains under "Web," with no clear distinction from traditional links. Query-level insights also remain limited, presenting some attribution challenges.
Align with AI-driven discovery with the GSC feature enabled in DM Cockpit!
Experts suggest that Google may introduce filters or dedicated AI Mode tabs in future updates. As AI Mode traffic becomes a larger share of organic search, such refinements will be essential.
The Google AI Mode update signals a larger trend: SEO is shifting from keyword rankings to topic authority and AI compatibility. The integration of search console performance AI data is an important first step in understanding this evolving landscape.
Webmasters can also use the Google Search Console Report tool from DM Cockpit to audit their reports, adjust tracking configurations, and refine content strategies.