AI Mode in Google: What This Means for SEO

Google’s AI Mode was released yesterday. Different from Google AI Overviews – which were above the main results, this is an entirely new tab with an AI chat window. There are no search results shown as of today. (AI Mode highlighted below)

Google Overviews were designed to answer search queries instantly, often without sending the visitor to a website. Which pushes your traditional ranking position below the AI response. AI Mode removes the traditional window altogether and you’re left with this window:

Here’s the kicker: AI Mode doesn’t summarize the entire web. It summarizes what it’s allowed to access. And if you’ve blocked AI bots like Google-Extended or OpenAI from reading your content (either with robots.txt or plugin settings), your content is automatically skipped.

So the question is: Do you want your content showing up in the AI answer? If you need convincing, keep reading.

Blocking AI Hurts the Wrong People

Some creators block AI, feeling as if “It’s stealing my content.” I understand that, but the reality is, we need to play nice with AI in order to survive.

The courts are deciding if ‘reading’ all the internet is indeed sharing (think Library) or if it is stealing (think Copyrights!). And we’re watching!

And while big media brands are getting onboard with licensing deals and AI optimization, small businesses risk disappearing completely if they stay hidden.

When you block AI, you’re not punishing tech companies – you’re cutting off your own reach.

Being Cited by AI & SEO

• In 2010, SEO required backlinks.
• In 2020, content had to pass Core Web Vitals.
• In 2025, SEO is how often AI references your content.

AI Mode pulls it’s answers from sources it trusts and has permission to use. That means if you want to be visible, you need to be part of that index.

Just like backlinks used to signal authority, now it’s whether your content is summarized, referenced, or cited by AI. Opting-in isn’t giving away your content; it’s broadcasting it with your name and brand attached, to the top of search results.

What to do Next: Checklist

If you want to stay visible in Google’s new search landscape, here’s what to do today:

1. Unblock AI (check your SEO plugin, Recipe plugin, Ads plugin, etc).
2. Focus on structured content – headings, clear answers, and scannable info. This means use Yoast SEO plugin, or similar.
3. Add branding throughout your post – so if AI uses your info, your name shows up.

You’re Not Giving It Away – You’re Amplifying It

This isn’t about giving away your livelihood. It’s about making sure your voice is heard. AI summaries are now the front door to your content – and if you’re not in them, your readers won’t get invited in.

Let the big brands worry about copyright lawyers. You? You want visibility, leads, and authority. And you get that by being part of the conversation – not hiding from it.

I’ve been saying this since AI came-to, it isn’t the enemy: it’s the interface. Don’t block it – lead it. (AI came up with that last sentence – that’s good, right?)