If I block Google-Extended, will it hurt my SEO rankings?

No, blocking Google-Extended has zero impact on Google Search rankings. Google-Extended is only for AI training (Gemini, Bard), while Googlebot handles traditional search indexing. You can block Google-Extended while allowing Googlebot if you want search visibility without AI training. However, blocking Google-Extended means your content won't influence Google's AI responses.

Why did Google create a separate crawler for AI?

To give publishers control. Many publishers wanted to prevent AI training while maintaining search rankings. Google-Extended lets you choose: 'User-agent: Google-Extended / Disallow: /' blocks AI training only. This addresses concerns about AI companies using content without permission. However, blocking also means missing visibility in Google AI Overviews and Gemini responses.

Should I allow Google-Extended for GEO visibility?

Yes, if you want visibility in Google AI Overviews and Gemini responses. Blocking Google-Extended means your content won't train Google's models and likely won't appear in AI-generated answers. Given Google's market dominance, blocking Google-Extended significantly reduces total AI visibility. Only block if you have specific licensing concerns or want to negotiate commercial deals.

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Technical

Google-Extended

Google's crawler specifically used for training Generative AI models, separate from traditional Googlebot.

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What is Google-Extended?

Google-Extended is Google's specialized crawler for collecting data to train its Generative AI models, including Gemini and Bard. Unlike Googlebot (which powers Google Search rankings), Google-Extended data is used exclusively for AI training. Site owners can block Google-Extended in robots.txt without affecting their traditional SEO rankings. This gives publishers control: allow Google Search indexing while blocking AI training, or allow both for maximum visibility.

How Qwairy Makes This Actionable

Qwairy tracks Google-Extended crawler activity separately from regular Googlebot visits. Monitor how frequently Google's AI training crawler accesses your content and which pages it prioritizes for generative AI data collection.