The short answer
Gemini is Google's AI assistant and model family. It answers from training data and can ground answers in Google Search results. Googlebot crawls the web for Google. Google-Extended, a robots.txt control token, decides whether your content is used for Gemini training and grounding. Strong Google SEO and accurate Google listings give Gemini the best material about you.
- Gemini combines model knowledge with live Google Search results.
- Google-Extended is a control token, not a crawler; it governs Gemini training and grounding.
- Google-Extended does not affect Google Search rankings or AI Overviews.
- Your Google Business Profile and structured data help Google describe you consistently.
How does Gemini find information?
Gemini draws on what its model learned in training. For current or specific questions, it can ground answers in Google Search. Grounding means checking live results and building the answer from them.
Google does not run a separate Gemini crawler. Googlebot does the crawling. A robots.txt token called Google-Extended then controls whether your content is used for Gemini.
For some questions, Gemini can also draw on other Google services, such as Maps for places. What is available varies by country, account and plan.
In practice, Gemini sees your business much as Google Search does. Pages Google cannot crawl or index give it little to work with.
| Control | What it covers | What it does not cover |
|---|---|---|
| Googlebot rules | Crawling for Google Search, including AI Overviews | Gemini training opt-out |
| Google-Extended token | Use of content for Gemini training and grounding | Google Search rankings and AI Overviews |
| nosnippet and max-snippet | How much text Search can show, including AI features | Whether a page is crawled |
What does Gemini tend to show?
Grounded answers often include links to sources or related search results. Answers from model knowledge alone may name brands without links.
Gemini also offers ways to check a response against Google Search. The exact layout and names of these features change often.
For local questions, answers may lean on place data such as ratings, hours and locations. That makes your Google Business Profile more important than many owners expect.
If Gemini gets a fact about you wrong, trace it back. Search Google for the claim and see which page states it. Then fix that source, or ask its owner to.
How to make your site readable for Gemini
Allow Googlebot, and decide whether to allow Google-Extended. Blocking Google-Extended may stop Gemini using your pages to ground answers. It does not change your Google rankings.
- Verify your site in Google Search Console and fix indexing errors.
- Keep your Google Business Profile complete, with accurate services and hours.
- Add Organization or LocalBusiness structured data in JSON-LD.
- Use the same name, address and description everywhere you are listed.
- Answer common buyer questions on your own pages, so grounded answers have something clear to quote.
# Google Search crawling (also feeds AI Overviews) User-agent: Googlebot Allow: / # Gemini training and grounding # A control token, not a separate crawler User-agent: Google-Extended Allow: /
If you block Google-Extended to avoid training, accept that Gemini may cite you less.
How to check what Gemini says about your brand
A quick manual check shows how Google's assistant describes you today. Treat it as a snapshot, since answers vary between runs.
- 1
Open Gemini
Go to gemini.google.com. Use an account with little search history if you can.
- 2
Ask buyer questions
Ask the questions a customer would, such as the best physiotherapist in Bristol for sports injuries.
- 3
Look at the sources
Note any links or search results shown. These hint at which pages shape the answer.
- 4
Compare with Google Search
Search the same question on Google. See whether an AI Overview appears and who it names.
- 5
Ask about you directly
Ask what Gemini knows about your business. Check every fact, from services to location.
Does WebValet track Gemini?
Yes. Gemini is included in WebValet Pro, alongside ChatGPT and Perplexity. Pro asks your 25 buyer prompts weekly and compares you with three competitors.
It also connects Search Console read-only, so you can see Google clicks next to Gemini mentions. WebValet is in early access, and tracking features are rolling out to Pro.
Questions people ask
Is Gemini the same as Google AI Overviews?
No. Gemini is an assistant you chat with. AI Overviews are summaries inside Google Search, built with a Gemini model customized for Search. They are controlled differently.
Does blocking Google-Extended hurt my Google rankings?
No. Google says Google-Extended does not affect Search rankings or AI Overviews. It only controls use of your content for Gemini training and grounding.
Why does Gemini give my colleague a different answer?
Answers vary by location, account, settings and time. The same question can also produce different wording on each run. Compare patterns over several checks.
Does my Google Business Profile affect Gemini?
For local questions it can matter, since Google products share place data. Keep categories, services, hours and photos accurate. Respond to reviews, because buyers and answers both read them.