Google-Extended is a standalone product token you set in robots.txt to control whether Google may use your content to train and ground its generative AI (Gemini, Vertex AI) and AI features. Critically, it is decoupled from Googlebot: blocking Google-Extended does not affect your normal Search ranking or indexing.
This separation is the point. A publisher can stay fully indexed in Google Search while opting out of AI training, or — more commonly for brands that want AI visibility — explicitly allow Google-Extended so their content can be grounded into AI Overviews and Gemini answers.
If your goal is to be cited inside Google's AI answers, leave Google-Extended allowed. If your concern is training usage, you can disallow it without sacrificing classic Search traffic. The choice is yours precisely because the token is independent.
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Frequently asked
Does blocking Google-Extended hurt my SEO?
No. Google-Extended is separate from Googlebot, so disallowing it leaves your Search indexing and ranking untouched. It only governs generative-AI training and grounding use.
Should I allow Google-Extended?
If you want your content eligible to appear in AI Overviews and Gemini answers, yes — allow it. If your priority is opting out of AI training, disallow it; you'll keep normal Search traffic either way.
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