Google has revised its spam policy to explicitly prohibit attempts to manipulate its AI models within search results, including those generated by AI Overview or AI Mode in Search, according to a report by Search Engine Land.
"In the context of Google Search, spam refers to techniques used to deceive users or manipulate our Search systems into featuring content prominently, such as attempting to manipulate Search systems into ranking content highly or attempting to manipulate generative AI responses in Google Search."
The updated policy addresses growing concerns over tactics designed to influence AI-generated search responses. These include:
- Biased "best-of" listicles – Content crafted to favor specific products or services.
- "Recommendation poisoning" – Injecting misleading data into large language models (LLMs) to skew AI recommendations.
The changes reflect Google’s broader effort to maintain the integrity of its search ecosystem amid the rise of AI-powered features.
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