Google will let website owners exclude their content from the company's AI-generated search results. The change gives publishers a new level of control over how their material appears in the search giant's increasingly automated ecosystem.

Opting out applies specifically to AI Overviews, Google's system that generates paragraph-length answers at the top of search results. The company confirmed that excluding a site from these AI summaries will not affect its placement in standard search listings.

How the opt out works

Website operators can use the existing nosnippet tag to block content from appearing in AI Overviews. Google also plans to add a new directive specifically for the AI summaries. The approach mirrors how Google has long allowed sites to control snippets and previews.

The change addresses a longstanding concern among publishers. Many worry that AI generated summaries reduce the incentive for users to click through to their sites. By providing an opt out, Google offers a middle ground that preserves traditional search visibility while letting publishers decide on AI exposure.

Why This Matters

Publishers and content creators have questioned how AI search features affect traffic and revenue. When Google displays a full answer at the top of results, users may not click the link. That dynamic threatens the advertising and subscription models many websites rely on.

The opt out policy gives publishers leverage. They can now withhold content from AI summaries without losing their place in organic search. For Google, the move may reduce friction with the web publishing industry as the company pushes further into AI driven search.

The change also signals how search engines are navigating the tension between providing instant answers and driving traffic to sources. Other platforms may adopt similar policies as AI summaries become more common.

What comes next

Google has not announced a firm timeline for the new directive. The company said it will provide more details soon. Website operators who want to block AI Overviews today can use the nosnippet tag as an interim measure.

The decision reflects a broader shift in how search engines interact with publishers. As AI reshapes search, the rules around content usage remain in flux. This policy gives website owners a clear tool to shape their participation in Google's AI search ecosystem.