AI Overview filter test claims spread as false, Google withdraws assertion
On September 15, 2025, a false announcement about testing an AI Overview filter in Google Search Console was circulated by Adrian Coutin, a Platinum Product Expert in Google Search Console Help forums. The announcement gained significant traction before being debunked by John Mueller, Google's Senior Search Analyst, who confirmed that the claims were false and no such filter exists in Search Console.
The announcement included a screenshot showing a new "Search Appearance" filter specifically for AI Overview data. However, Google has extended AI Mode to Workspace accounts in the United States as of July 2, 2025, but this integration does not provide separate filtering capabilities for AI-generated content.
AI Overview features are tracked within the general Web bucket alongside many other Search features, which are not broken out separately. This lack of granular tracking capabilities in Search Console has been a persistent concern for marketing professionals seeking to understand AI search impact on their websites.
The incident underscores verification challenges within the search marketing community, particularly regarding announcements from Product Expert contributors. Gagan Ghotra, an SEO consultant, initially shared the news with enthusiasm but later updated his position after questioning Coutin about his claims. Coutin acknowledged the error in a LinkedIn comment response, stating that the post was initially approved but was later withdrawn.
The false announcement reinforces the importance of verifying claims through official Google channels before adjusting strategies or expectations. Marketing professionals continue to rely on indirect measurement methods for AI search impact, including manual observation, Google Analytics traffic analysis, and Search Console monitoring for impression and click patterns.
Significant impacts from AI Overviews have been documented, with a 34.5% reduction in organic clicks when these features appear in search results. The lack of granular tracking capabilities in Search Console has been a persistent concern, and the incident underscores ongoing industry concerns about search result decoupling, where websites receive increased impressions while experiencing substantial click decreases.
Google acknowledged the pattern of search result decoupling on June 17, 2025. AI Mode clicks now count toward Search Console totals as of the same date, but this integration does not provide separate filtering capabilities for AI-generated content. The current tracking capabilities for AI search features remain limited compared to traditional search result analysis.
In conclusion, the false announcement of an AI Overview filter in Google Search Console serves as a reminder for the search marketing community to verify information thoroughly before acting on it. The incident highlights the need for improved tracking capabilities for AI search features and the importance of official communication channels for product updates.
