Gemini is the name of Google's large language models and of the assistant app built on them. The Gemini app can search the web using Google Search, and Gemini is built into Chrome, Android, Workspace and other Google products. Google has said AI Overviews and AI Mode in Search use customized Gemini models. For brands, that makes Gemini relevant in two places: the standalone assistant and the AI features inside Google Search.
The Gemini app versus AI features in Search
These are separate products with different controls. AI Overviews and AI Mode are part of Google Search: they use Googlebot's crawl and Google's index, and appearing in them follows the same eligibility rules as Search. The Gemini app is a separate assistant that can ground answers in Google Search results.
Google-Extended, a robots.txt token, lets sites opt out of having their content used for training Gemini models and for grounding in the Gemini app and certain developer products. It does not affect inclusion or ranking in Google Search, including AI Overviews.
What to check
Visibility in AI Overviews and AI Mode starts with being indexed and eligible for a snippet in Google Search. Search Console's Performance report includes clicks and impressions from AI features within the overall web data, without a separate breakdown as of late 2026. For the Gemini app, test the prompts buyers use and watch referrals from gemini.google.com.
- Indexing and snippet eligibility in Google Search
- Google-Extended policy in robots.txt, chosen deliberately
- Prompt tests in the Gemini app
- Referral traffic from gemini.google.com
Example
Two Google answers, two descriptions
Oakspindle, a fictional subscription analytics tool, sees an accurate description in AI Overviews but an outdated one in the Gemini app. The difference points to grounding and model knowledge rather than indexing. Oakspindle checks whether it has blocked Google-Extended, which could limit grounding with its own pages in the app, and finds it did so during a blanket AI block last year.
Common mistakes
Blocking Google-Extended to stay out of AI Overviews
It does not do that. AI Overviews are controlled through normal Search controls such as nosnippet.
Treating Gemini as one surface
The app, Search features, Chrome and Workspace integrations all behave differently. Test where your buyers actually are.
Questions
Bard was the earlier name of Google's assistant. It was renamed Gemini in early 2024.
No. Search Console covers Google Search. Gemini app referrals appear in your analytics as gemini.google.com where referrer data is passed.
