How to Stop Google's AI from Using Certain Content on Your Event Website
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- By: Jon Monk - Head of Optimisation & Performance
- Date: 24th June 2025
- Estimated Read Time: 4–5 minutes
- Topics: Event content strategy • Post-show engagement • SEO for event websites • Repurposing AV content • Conference marketing • Speaker promotion • Driving organic traffic • Content marketing for events • Year-round event visibility
Executive Summary
This guide shows event marketers how to maintain control over sensitive or time-limited content by preventing Google's AI from including it in snippets or AI Overviews. You'll learn which content to protect, why it matters, and how to implement these controls without affecting your site's visibility.
The Challenge: AI in Google Search
Google's AI-powered search features now automatically generate summaries of web content, including AI Overviews and enhanced snippets. While this can boost your event's visibility, it also means losing control over how your content appears in search results.
For event organisers, this creates a unique challenge: you want discoverability, but you also need to protect certain information from being displayed out of context or before its intended time.
When to Restrict AI Access
Consider blocking Google's AI from using content that falls into these categories:
Sensitive Information
- Internal session descriptions or speaker notes
- Venue logistics or behind-the-scenes planning
- Legal disclaimers or compliance statements
Time-Sensitive Content
- Early bird pricing that may change
- Promotional offers with expiration dates
- Speaker announcements not yet public
Exclusive Content
- Sponsor details reserved for registered attendees
- Premium content for specific user groups
- Post-event materials for participants only
How to Control AI Snippet Usage
The good news? You can protect specific content without hiding your entire site from Google. These HTML meta tags give you granular control while maintaining your search presence.
Option 1: Block All Snippets
Prevent Google from using any part of a page in AI-generated summaries:
<meta name="robots" content="nosnippet">
Best for: Pages with entirely sensitive content, legal pages, or internal documentation.
Option 2: Limit Snippet Length
Allow short snippets while preventing lengthy AI summaries:
html<meta name="robots" content="max-snippet:100">
Best for: Pages where you want some visibility but need to control the amount of information shared.
Implementation Guide
For ASP CMS Users
Most content management systems (including ASP ShowOff) allow you to add these meta tags through:
- Page-level SEO settings
- Custom HTML fields in page headers
- Template modifications for site-wide application
For Google Tag Manager Users
- Create a new Custom HTML tag
- Add your chosen meta tag
- Set triggers for specific pages or page types
- Publish your changes
For Developers
Add the meta tags directly to the <head> section of your HTML pages, or implement them programmatically based on content types or user permissions.
Best Practices
Test Your Implementation
- Use Google Search Console to monitor how your pages appear in search
- Check that protected content doesn't appear in AI Overviews
- Verify that non-restricted content still generates helpful snippets
Be Strategic
- Don't over-restrict content that could benefit from AI visibility
- Consider using max-snippet instead of nosnippet for partial protection
- Review and update restrictions as your event timeline progresses
Monitor Performance
- Track search visibility and click-through rates
- Adjust restrictions based on what drives the best results
- Document your approach for future events
The Bottom Line
AI-powered search features are transforming how people discover event content, but you don't have to surrender control. With these simple HTML tags, you can protect sensitive information while still benefiting from increased search visibility.
The key is being strategic about what you restrict. Focus on genuinely sensitive or time-critical content, and let AI help promote everything else.
Further Reading
Google's Official Documentation:
- Robots Meta Tag Specifications - Complete guide to controlling indexing and snippets
- AI Features and Your Website - How AI Overviews use website content
Case Studies and Examples:
- How to Remove Content from Google's AI Overviews - Real-world implementation examples
- Data-nosnippet Implementation Guide - Quick results from meta tag changes
Industry Updates:
- Google Updates Robots Meta Tag for AI Mode - Latest changes affecting AI features
Navigating the evolving landscape of AI-powered search and SEO can feel overwhelming. From controlling AI snippets to optimising your event website for maximum visibility, there's a lot to consider.
Don't let technical complexity hold your events back. Our optimisation specialists understand the unique challenges event organisers face and can help you implement these strategies—and many more—to ensure your content works harder for you.
Discover Our Optimisation Services →
Let us handle the technical details while you focus on creating exceptional events.