Follow-up questions in AI Mode are now tracked as separate queries in Google Search Console’s Performance report. This change impacts how impressions, positions, and clicks are recorded for site owners. John Mueller confirmed the update.
Google has officially clarified that queries made through AI Mode, including follow-up questions within the same conversation, are now included in the standard Performance report in Google Search Console (GSC). John Mueller confirmed this update in response to user questions, addressing recent confusion among site owners and SEO professionals.
According to Google’s documentation, every additional question a user asks in AI Mode is treated as a new, distinct query. As a result, all impressions, average positions, and clicks generated from the AI-generated response are attributed to this new query in GSC’s reporting. This means that publishers and webmasters may notice an increase in the number of queries and potentially different patterns in their performance data as AI-driven interactions become more common.
This change is particularly relevant as AI-powered search experiences continue to evolve, influencing how users interact with search results and how publishers measure their visibility. The update may also affect how SEO professionals interpret fluctuations in their site’s performance metrics, especially as AI Mode becomes a more prominent feature in Google’s search ecosystem.
For those tracking the impact of AI on search and advertising, it’s worth noting that subtle changes in query structure can now shift which brands or content are surfaced, as discussed in a recent analysis of how AI-generated overviews can affect paid search ads and organic results. For more on these shifting dynamics, see this in-depth look at AI overviews and their impact on search ads.
Google Search Console remains a critical tool for webmasters, offering detailed insights into how sites perform in search. With the integration of AI Mode queries, GSC’s data now reflects a broader range of user interactions, making it essential for publishers to stay informed about ongoing changes in search reporting and analytics.
Launched in 2015, Google Search Console is used by millions of site owners worldwide to monitor search performance, index coverage, and technical issues. As of 2026, GSC supports over 30 languages and processes billions of queries daily, reflecting Google’s ongoing efforts to adapt its tools to the evolving landscape of AI-driven search.
