Search Console's Generative AI Features Report: What It Actually Shows

Where to find it

In Search Console, open Performance > Search results and check the search appearance filter for AI-related experiences. It reports impressions and clicks where your page appeared inside an AI-generated answer.

How to read it honestly

• Impressions up, clicks flat - you are being cited, not visited. Optimize for brand recall: name your brand in the extractable passage and give a reason to click (tools, pricing, data, downloads).
• Impressions down - the answer no longer needs your page. Usually a thin informational post; consolidate it into a stronger guide.
• High AI impressions on commercial queries - protect these pages first with schema, updated data and clear next steps.

What to change

1. Front-load a 40-60 word answer on every informational page.
2. Add unique assets an AI cannot summarise away: calculators, checklists, original data, local pricing.
3. Keep FAQ and Article schema valid so extraction is unambiguous.
4. Track branded search volume as your real GEO KPI — citations show up there before they show up in clicks.

The bigger shift

Being ranked and being referenced are now separate outcomes. Report both to your stakeholders, and build pages worth quoting.