Google Explains Whether Sites Can Ignore Generative Engine Optimization for SEO Alone
TLDR
Google's John Mueller clarified that AI-generated search results pull directly from Google's regular index, meaning no special optimization techniques beyond standard SEO are needed.
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John Mueller confirmed that Google's AI search results derive directly from the same crawled index used for traditional search results, pulling from top rankings plus related query expansions—so publishers and businesses don't need specialized tactics to appear in AI answers, just solid SEO fundamentals. Mueller's statement counters the emerging market for generative engine optimization services and tools, noting there's "nothing really special you need to do for generative AI responses in search" from Google's perspective.