Google has introduced a new feature in Search Console that will now include AI Mode traffic data.
So much in newsletter this week!
👉AI Mode migrating to Search over time
👉Audio Overviews in Search results
👉Charts and visualizations in AI Mode
👉Gemini in Chrome
👉ChatGPT Search has improved
👉Autotranslated pages may be ok now
👉The web should be around for another 2-3… pic.twitter.com/zVC2IbMMir— Marie Haynes (@Marie_Haynes) June 16, 2025
This development aims to provide a clearer understanding of how AI Mode impacts web traffic metrics such as clicks, impressions, and positions. As of today, Google’s AI Mode data will be included in your Search Console Performance report.
A recent update to Google’s Search Console help document details how these metrics are counted:
Circle to Search to AI Mode -> Google is testing integrating Search’s AI Mode into the Circle to Search feature.
"The Google Search bar that appears after triggering Circle to Search could feature a prominent “Ask AI Mode” hint text and the AI Mode icon. The usual icons for… pic.twitter.com/gi1WjSkI5k
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) June 16, 2025
1. Clicks: Any click on an external link within AI Mode will count as a click in Search Console. 2.
You've heard of "The Great Decoupling" of impressions and clicks (coined by @DarwinSantosNYC) , but have you heard of "The Forgotten Coupling"? That's the topic of my latest post.
With AIOs surging in the web search results, other search verticals remain unaffected by AI… pic.twitter.com/4i8SOWTGEv
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) June 16, 2025
Impressions: If your page appears in Google’s AI response, it will count as an impression. 3. Positions: AI Mode elements (like link cards, image blocks, or carousels) each have their own positions and are calculated similarly to standard search results.
Google adds AI mode tracking
When users ask follow-up questions in AI Mode, Google treats these as new searches. Consequently, all subsequent clicks, impressions, and positions are attributed to these new queries.
Despite these advancements, Google has not included a filter option to isolate AI Mode impressions, clicks, and click-through rates. However, the detailed explanation provided in the help document clarifies how AI Mode metrics integrate with the traditional Performance report. Understanding the intricacies of AI Mode reporting is crucial for search marketers.
It provides valuable insights into how AI-generated traffic affects overall search performance, enabling more precise adjustments to SEO strategies. The integration of AI Mode data addresses some long-standing confusion about its impact on SEO reporting. This transparency allows marketers to better understand and optimize their search strategies.
Google’s addition of AI Mode traffic data to Search Console is a significant step towards more comprehensive search analytics. By understanding how AI Mode interacts with traditional search elements, marketers can make better-informed decisions to enhance their organic search visibility.
Deanna Ritchie is a managing editor at DevX. She has a degree in English Literature. She has written 2000+ articles on getting out of debt and mastering your finances. She has edited over 60,000 articles in her life. She has a passion for helping writers inspire others through their words. Deanna has also been an editor at Entrepreneur Magazine and ReadWrite.
