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Gemini.How it picks local businesses.

What Google documents about where Gemini gets its answers, how to check what it says about you, and what to fix first.

The short answer

Updated

The Gemini app answers local questions using Google services, including Search and Google Maps, where it reads addresses, ratings and opening hours. By default it uses the general area from the person's IP address. Site owners control Gemini's use of their pages through the Google-Extended robots.txt token, which doesn't affect Google Search. For a local business, the Google Maps listing is the input to get right.

Where it looks.As the maker documents it.

Each row links to the maker's or partner's own words, with the date we last checked it.

Google services
Google says Gemini automatically uses public information from Google Search, Flights, Hotels, Maps and YouTube.Source · checked Oct 31, 2026
Google Maps
Google says Gemini uses public information from Google Maps, such as addresses, ratings and opening hours.Source · checked Oct 31, 2026
Location
Google says Gemini Apps use the general area from the IP address by default, and precise location only with permission.Source · checked Oct 31, 2026

Its crawlers.Let them in.

If your robots.txt blocks these user agents, the engine may not read your site.

Googlebot
Builds the Google Search index, which Gemini uses to ground its answers. Docs
Google-Extended
A robots.txt token covering training and grounding in Gemini Apps. Blocking it doesn't affect Google Search. Docs

Check it yourself.One prompt, two minutes.

Swap in your trade and town. Ask it a few times: answers change between runs.

Ask Gemini

I'm in [neighbourhood], [city]. Which [trade] companies near me are open now and well reviewed? Show them on a map.

What to fix first.In this order.

  1. 01Get your Google Maps listing rightGemini reads addresses, ratings and hours from Maps, which come from your Business Profile.Google Business Profile guide
  2. 02Keep honest reviews comingRatings are part of what Gemini reads from Maps. Ask every customer the same way, with Google's own review link.
  3. 03Decide on Google-ExtendedLeave Google-Extended allowed if you want Gemini to ground answers in your pages. Blocking it won't change your Google rankings.

Questions people ask.Short answers.

Is Gemini the same as AI Overviews?

No. AI Overviews and AI Mode are part of Google Search. Gemini is a separate app, though both use Google's information.

Does blocking Google-Extended hurt my Google rankings?

No. Google says Google-Extended doesn't affect a site's inclusion in Google Search and isn't a ranking signal.

Does Gemini read my Business Profile?

Google says Gemini uses public information from Google Maps, which is where your Business Profile appears. It doesn't name Business Profile separately.

Sources

  1. Gemini Apps Help: How Gemini uses Google services · checked Oct 31, 2026
  2. Gemini Apps Help: Google Maps in Gemini · checked Oct 31, 2026
  3. Gemini Apps Privacy Hub · checked Oct 31, 2026
  4. Google: Overview of Google's common crawlers · checked Oct 31, 2026

By Shakhawat Ullah Badhon, Founder, Damex Digital. Published Oct 31, 2026, updated Oct 31, 2026.