What is Google Search Console AI Performance Data

In June 2026, Google began rolling out a new AI Performance report inside Google Search Console. This report shows how often your pages appear in AI-generated search results like AI Overviews and AI Mode. For a long time, Indian SEO professionals could only guess whether their content was being used by Google’s AI. Now the data is visible directly in your dashboard.

The report includes metrics such as AI impressions, AI clicks and the average position of your content within AI answers. Google also labels whether your page was cited as a source link in an AI Overview or simply referenced in the text without a link. This distinction matters because being mentioned without a link brings almost no traffic.

For Indian businesses, this is a wake-up call. Many websites have seen impressions rise sharply since AI Overviews expanded to Indian search queries in early 2026. Yet clicks have not grown at the same rate. A study from February 2026 found that Google AI Overviews reduce click-through rates by 58%. That is a huge number for shop owners, service providers and local businesses who depend on website visits.

The good news is that the new Search Console data helps you identify exactly which queries trigger AI answers and whether your business is included. You can then adjust your content strategy to win more visible placements. This is not optional anymore. If you run local SEO for a Chennai business, you need to understand this report to keep growing.

Why This Matters for Indian Small Businesses

Your Customers Now Ask AI First

Indian consumers are skipping traditional search results more often. Instead of typing a query and scrolling through ten blue links, they ask Google AI Mode directly. A user in Bengaluru might ask, “Which is the best boutique hotel in Indiranagar with parking?” Google’s AI will compile an answer from multiple websites and show a short summary. If your website is not cited in that summary, you lose the customer even if you rank on page one.

The 58% Click Drop Is Real

The medianama study confirmed that AI Overviews cut click-through rates dramatically. When users get a complete answer in the overview, they rarely click through. But the data also shows that when your business is the source cited in the AI answer, you still receive a good share of clicks. The problem is only for businesses that are not referenced at all. This report helps you see which side you are on.

Local Queries Behave Differently

Local searches like “dentist near me” or “best salon in T Nagar” behave differently under AI search. Google keeps showing a local pack with maps, but the AI summary above it often picks one or two businesses to highlight. With the new Search Console data, you can see if your website is being selected for these local AI summaries. If not, your content likely lacks the structured detail Google’s AI prefers.

Competitive Advantage for Early Adopters

Most Indian business owners have not opened this new report yet. That means the ones who do are already ahead. By understanding which of your pages appear in AI answers, you can double down on what works and fix what does not. This is a rare chance to gain ground on competitors who are still checking only the old performance reports.

Step-by-Step: How to Use the New AI Reports

Follow these steps to get the most out of the new Google Search Console AI performance data. You do not need any special tools or coding skills.

• Step 1: Open the AI Performance Report. Log in to Google Search Console and find the “AI Performance” section in the left sidebar. It may say “Performance” with a filter for “AI Overviews”. If you do not see it yet, Google is rolling it out gradually to more accounts, so check weekly.
• Step 2: Filter by your key pages. At the top of the report, add a filter for your most important pages, such as your service pages or product category pages. This shows you which of your core pages are being cited in AI answers and which are being ignored.
• Step 3: Compare dates. Set the report to compare the last 28 days with the previous period. Look for changes in AI impressions. A sharp rise often means Google’s AI is now referencing your content more after an update. A drop means you have lost visibility in AI answers.
• Step 4: Export the queries. Click the “Queries” tab and export the list. This shows you the exact questions users are asking where Google included your site. Save this list. It is your goldmine for content planning.
• Step 5: Cross-check with regular performance. Compare the AI report with your normal Search Console performance data. Look for queries where your regular ranking is strong but AI visibility is weak. Those are your opportunities to adjust content so the AI starts citing you.
• Step 6: Create answers for the gaps. For every query where you rank but are not cited in AI answers, review the top AI-cited pages. Note how they structure their content. Then rewrite your page to include clear definitions, bullet points and direct answers near the top. This increases your chances of being selected next time.

If you need help with this process, our team offers SEO optimisation services that include AI search visibility audits. We can do this analysis for you and provide a clear action plan.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Tracking AI Data

Mistake 1: Panicking Over Low Click-Through Rates

Many Indian business owners see the 58% CTR drop and think their SEO is failing. That is not the whole picture. AI impressions are valuable even without clicks because they build brand awareness. Users who see your business name in an AI answer are more likely to search for you directly later. Track direct and branded traffic in your analytics to measure this effect.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Non-Linked Mentions

The report shows mentions where Google uses your content but does not show a clickable link. Some experts suggest opting out of AI search features to avoid this. But that is risky. If you opt out, Google’s AI may stop recommending you at all. A better approach is to study which pages get mentioned without links and strengthen them with clearer source citations and unique data.

Mistake 3: Writing Content Only for AI, Not for People

In response to AI Overviews, some Indian websites now publish thin, listicle-style content written purely to be quoted by AI. This backfires. Google’s systems reward content that offers real value. Your human readers must still find your pages useful. The shift away from Google as the first stop means people also find you through social media. Keep your content genuine and detailed.

Mistake 4: Relying Only on Old Metrics

If you still judge success only by the old performance report, you are missing half the picture. The new AI report reveals a separate journey your customers take. You need both reports side by side. Many businesses find that their AI visibility is low even when their traditional rankings are high. That gap is where your next growth will come from.

AI Search vs Traditional Search: What to Track

The new report does not replace your existing Search Console data. It adds another layer. To make smart decisions for your Indian business, you need to understand how the two sets of numbers differ and what each one tells you.

Traditional search performance shows how you rank on regular Google results pages. AI performance shows how often Google’s AI chooses your content when it compiles answers. Both matter, but they require different strategies. For example, a Chennai restaurant might rank well for “best filter coffee near me” in regular search. But if the AI Overview recommends three other cafes, that restaurant loses footfall to competitors who appear in the AI answer.

Use the table below to compare the key differences and plan your tracking accordingly.

By tracking both reports every month, you can build a complete picture of your search presence. Indian businesses that adapt early to this new data will find it easier to win customers in 2026 and beyond. If you want professional help interpreting these reports, our AI digital marketing services in Chennai include full Search Console audits and custom action plans.