How to find Google AI Mode search queries in Google Search Console

In 2026, SEO and keyword research can feel like a two-track sport. We’re still looking after traditional keywords for clicks and conversions in organic results, and also staying on top of AI-driven prompts to understand what people are asking to fill any gaps in our content and hopefully show up in AI responses, too.

Google has rolled out AI Mode, a new feature which is set to become the default search engine. We’ve all heard how Google AI Mode uses advanced reasoning and a query fan-out technique to rank websites and create comprehensive answers in their AI-powered response.

But how exactly, do we show up in these AI-generated answers? The first place to start is figuring out how people are searching in these tools.

Love it or hate it, many people are using Google AI Mode to search for information, ask follow-up questions and get the solutions that they need. This includes finding products and services to book.

The big question? How do we know what people are really asking in AI Mode and other generative tools like ChatGPT?

Sure, there are SEO tools that simulate AI prompts to see if your website shows up. But here’s the catch: they don’t reveal the actual questions people searched for. (These are private logs.)

The only tool that can show you actual search queries that led to clicks and impressions on your site is Google Search Console.

In this post, I’ll share a simple Query Filter formula you can use to see the real search queries and conversations that triggered AI Overview or AI Mode results, where your site appeared. You can also skip to the short video below to learn how to do this step-by-step.

TLDR;

For the SEO-savvy marketers who want the trimmed version. Here’s what you need to do.

Filter your Google Search Console keyword queries for 10+ words. These are the longer phrases where you’ll spot AI-driven searches that are packed with context, and tied to clicks and impressions your website already shows up for within Google.

1. Open the Search results report.
2. Add filter, Query.
3. Choose Custom (regex).
4. Paste this exact formula. (\b\w+\b\s){10,}
5. Apply, then review the longer searches.

Step 1: Log in to Google Search Console and get to the Search Results report

Open your browser and sign into the Google account that has access to your site’s Search Console property.

In the left navigation, find the Search Results report.

Click it.

Now you’re looking at your search performance report that includes:

• Total clicks
• Total impressions
• Average CTR
• Average position

We want to focus on the Queries table.

This table is a goldmine. These are the exact keyword searches that led to real clicks and impressions on your site.

At this point, you might see a lot of short-tail keyword queries. Totally normal. These are the keywords you’re ranking for in traditional search results.

Now we need to add a filter.

Step 2: Add this Query filter so you only see longer, more detailed searches in AI Mode

Look near the top of the report for the filter controls.

Now do this:

• Select Add filter.
• Choose Query.
• In the match type options, select Custom (regex)
• Paste in this custom formula that filters for queries with at least 10 words.

(\b\w+\b\s){10,}

• Hit Apply.

That’s it.

Once you apply it, your query list updates, and now you’re seeing longer searches with at least 10 words. These are the detailed, conversational queries that people have asked Google’s AI Mode, and where your website appeared!

Step 3: Analyze the detailed AI prompt queries

The custom regex filter shows us queries with 10 words or more. These are longer queries that include more context and information. If your website showed up in an AI Mode response, there would be impressions and click data here.

Personally, I’m fascinated by how detailed these prompts are.

These are full questions filled with intent.

Like “claire is analyzing her website’s core web vitals and notices that lcp is occurring at 10 seconds, which is much longer than what google recommends. which of the following elements could be contributing to slowing down claire’s page?”

Or “raquel is working on a technical seo audit for a new client who recently decided to move their website from http to https. when starting her audit, raquel notices that some http pages were never redirected to the https pages, which is now causing issues for the site in search. however, this client is very resistant to the idea of implementing more redirects, since they’ve heard that this can lead to a drop in their search performance. how should raquel approach this situation with her client?”

Step 4: How to improve your content with the AI-driven queries you find

This is an opportunity to create new content pages, or to beef up your existing content!

• Add an FAQ section: Take the best long questions and answer them directly on the page that already ranks for the topic.
• Rewrite headings to match real phrasing: If people keep searching a specific way, mirror that language in an H2 or H3.
• Expand a thin section: If a long query asks about a subtopic you barely mention, beef up that section.
• Create a supporting blog post: If the query is too specific to squeeze into an existing page, it might deserve its own focused article.

Video: How to find AI-driven search queries in Google Search Console in minutes

Prefer to watch a video instead? Here’s a clip that walks you through this process step-by-step.