Developing
The page does not mention Google-Extended or AI model training; it gives timing for few methods and no traffic effects.
In 60 seconds
- The seven methods: remove content, password-protect files, noindex, robots.txt disallow (images and video only), robots meta/data-nosnippet/X-Robots-Tag, Search generative AI control in Search Console and opt-out of specific Google properties.
- The Search generative AI control is a site-wide setting for AI Overviews and AI Mode; the linked help page gives one to two days.
- Google said the update was made to "include existing options" and keep the page current.
- The page does not mention Google-Extended, which the linked help page points to for training.
Impact Layer
- What changed
- Google's main page on controlling what appears in Search now names the AI Search control.
- Why it matters
- Site owners who want to limit AI features need to know which control applies to what, and what it does not cover.
- Who is affected
- Publishers, SEOs, legal teams and brand owners.
- Martech stack area
- SEO & Search, Content
- Stack impact
- Decide per site section whether you want AI Overviews and AI Mode to use your content, and use the specific control Google lists for that, separate from training opt-outs.
- Business impact
- Moderate Based on PPC Land's reading of Google's updated page and Search Engine Roundtable's report. Google published no diff, and effect on traffic and clicks for each option is not stated.
- Related technologies
- Related vendors
- What to watch
- Google's own explanation of how snippet rules interact with AI features.
Google updated its “Control what you share with Google Search” page on October 21, 2026. It now lists seven methods for keeping content out of Search, up from five; Google says the two added rows describe options that already existed.
The seven methods
- Remove the content from the site, which Google calls “the best way”.
- Password-protect files, which removes content from results “eventually”, with no timeframe.
- Noindex rule, which stops content appearing in results but not from being visited through links.
- Robots.txt disallow, which applies only to images and video.
- Robots meta tag, data-nosnippet or X-Robots-Tag (new row), which adjusts how content is presented at page or text level.
- Search generative AI control in Search Console (new row), a site-wide setting for AI Overviews and AI Mode.
- Opt-out of specific Google properties, such as Shopping and Hotels.
Google’s statement
Google said the update was made to “include existing options such as the robots meta tag, data-nosnippet, X-Robots-Tag, and the Search generative AI control”.
What the page does not state
It does not mention Google-Extended, Gemini, Vertex AI or AI model training (the linked Search Console page points to Google-Extended for training). It gives no timing for most methods (one to two days for the AI control per the help page), does not explain how snippet rules interact with AI features and does not quantify traffic or click effects.
Our read
Treat search presentation, AI features and training as three separate controls. This page now covers the first two.
Sources
- PPC Land: Google lists 7 ways to keep content out of Search, AI opt-out included (opens in a new tab)
Source for the seven methods and what the page does not state.
- Search Engine Roundtable: Google Updates Control What You Share With Google Search With Existing Options (opens in a new tab)
Source for Google's statement about the update.