Google · last updated 2026-10-14
Gemini
Google's Gemini app is grounded against Google Search when the conversation calls for current information. Distinct from Google AI Overviews: Gemini is the conversational interface, AI Overviews is the SERP-integrated answer block. Google states that blocking the Google-Extended robots.txt token affects Gemini Apps (training and grounding).
Grounding model
Native integration with Google Search: the crawl and ranking signals that power Google Search feed Gemini grounding, which happens on demand based on the model's judgment of the query. Blocking Google-Extended opts content out of Gemini Apps training and grounding, but does not affect Google Search.
Citation style
A Sources button at the bottom of the answer, or inline links, opens a right-side panel listing the sources.
What it rewards
- Strong traditional SEO signals that drive Google ranking also drive Gemini grounding
- Structured data that matches the visible content (general hygiene; Google says no special schema is needed)
- Recent dates and explicit dating in the page body
- Fast page performance and mobile-friendly design
What it penalizes
- Pages blocked from Google's index (Gemini cannot ground against what Google cannot crawl)
- Pages that block Google-Extended (excluded from Gemini Apps training and grounding)
- Thin or duplicate content that Google's quality systems devalue