Google Updates Spam Policy to Explicitly Cover AI Manipulation — Applies to AI Overviews and AI Mode

Search Engine Land·medium signal

Google updated its Search spam policy on May 15 to explicitly define attempts to manipulate generative AI responses (AI Overviews, AI Mode) as spam. The updated definition now reads: 'spam refers to techniques used to deceive users or manipulate our Search systems...including attempting to manipulate generative AI responses in Google Search.' Enumerated tactics include AI-generated mass content, cloaking, and 'recommendation poisoning.' For builders: SEO strategy now must account for AI response surfaces, not just traditional rankings.