Google's AI Overviews have become a prominent feature of search results, often appearing at the very top of the page with a generated summary before any traditional blue links. While intended to provide quick answers, these summaries have drawn criticism from publishers and users alike for reducing click-through rates and occasionally providing misleading or incorrect information. In May 2024, Google launched AI Overviews in the US, and they have since expanded to over 200 countries and territories, supporting more than 40 languages. Despite widespread demand, Google has not provided an official way to disable them. However, several workarounds allow users to bypass AI summaries and return to a classic search experience.
Why users want to remove AI Overviews
A 2025 Pew Research Center study tracked 900 US adults and found that when an AI Overview appears, users click a traditional search link only 8% of the time, compared to 15% when no summary is shown. About 58% of adults saw at least one AI Overview during their searches, and only 1% of those led to a click on a cited source within the summary. More troubling, users were more likely to end their browsing session after seeing an AI Overview, suggesting many people stop investigating once the AI has spoken. This shift impacts publishers who invest in original research and content creation. Additionally, AI Overviews have been known to generate errors, such as the infamous mid-2024 recommendation to use glue to keep pizza cheese from sliding off. Such incidents underscore the importance of having control over how search results are displayed.
1. Use the '-AI' modifier in your search query
Zero AI results on desktop and mobile
Appending -AI to any search query is the quickest and easiest method to break the AI summary algorithm. This modifier works on both desktop and mobile browsers, including the Google app. To use it, simply type your search term followed by a space and -AI. For example, if you search for "how to clear iPhone cache -AI", the results will show traditional blue links without an AI Overview at the top. You may still see a featured snippet, which has been around for years and includes a prominent link to the source, unlike AI Overviews that often summarize the entire answer. This method is instantaneous and requires no additional settings or extensions.
2. Enable Web Guide mode
Classic search links with deprioritized AI on desktop
Google Search recently introduced Web Guide mode as a Search Labs experiment. This feature uses AI to organize search results but pushes AI Overviews further down the page, allowing classic links to appear first. To enable Web Guide, sign into your Google account, go to Search Labs, and select the Web Guide experiment. Toggle on the "Try the new AI-organized web results" option. After that, any search on desktop will show a Web Guide tab alongside All, Images, Videos, and other filters. Under Web Guide, you'll see grouped classic links at the top, with AI summaries below. This option offers a balance between AI assistance and traditional browsing. Note that Web Guide is currently only available for desktop users.
3. Use Google's Web tab
Always avoid AI by default with a Chrome shortcut
Google's Web tab, typically hidden under the More menu, delivers pure classic search results with no AI Overviews. However, manually switching to it for every query is tedious. A more efficient approach is to create a custom site search shortcut in Chrome that forces the browser to automatically use the Web tab. Go to Chrome Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search. Under Site search, click Add. Fill in the fields: Name (Google Web), Shortcut (https://www.google.com/), and URL ({google:baseURL}search?udm=14&q=%s). Click Add, then set this new entry as default. After this, every address-bar query will use the Web filter by default, and AI Overviews will not appear. Firefox and Edge have similar options for adding custom search engines on desktop; Firefox even supports this on mobile.
4. Try a Chrome extension
Hide AI summaries on desktop
Browser extensions offer another way to remove AI Overviews from view. Several extensions are available in the Chrome Web Store, such as "Hide AI Overviews" or "Bye Bye, Google AI". These extensions simply hide the AI panel from the page, though the response still loads in the background. To install one, go to the Chrome Web Store, search for the extension, click Add to Chrome, and confirm. After installation, reload any Google Search page to see the difference. Microsoft Edge also supports similar extensions. It's important to note that extensions only work on desktop browsers and may require periodic updates as Google changes its page structure.
What are Google AI Overviews and where are they available?
AI Overviews are Gemini AI-powered summaries that appear at the top of search results, providing quick answers without requiring clicks to individual sites. They were unveiled at Google I/O in May 2024 and launched in the US that same month. Since then, they have expanded to over 200 countries and territories, supporting more than 40 languages. The feature is designed to save time but has faced criticism for reducing traffic to content creators and for occasionally generating inaccurate information.
Can I disable or turn off Google's AI summaries in Search?
No. There is no official off switch for AI Overviews. The methods described above are the only known workarounds as of early 2026. Google has not indicated any plans to add a toggle, likely because AI Overviews are central to its strategy of integrating generative AI into search.
What's the difference between Google's Web tab and Web Guide mode?
Google's Web tab provides purely classic search results—ten blue links with no AI summaries. It is hidden under the More menu. Web Guide, on the other hand, is a Search Labs experiment that still uses AI to organize results but prioritizes classic links at the top, with AI snippets placed lower on the page. Web Guide also categorizes links by topic using Gemini AI. Both aim to reduce the prominence of AI Overviews, but the Web tab offers a completely AI-free experience, while Web Guide offers a hybrid.
Can I use a search engine other than Google to avoid AI?
Yes. Several alternatives do not serve AI summaries over classic links. Dogpile and Metacrawler are older metasearch engines that aggregate results without AI. DuckDuckGo has an AI assist feature but allows users to disable it easily when summaries appear. Other options include Startpage, which focuses on privacy, and Brave Search, which offers a non-AI mode. For users who prefer to stay with Google but want to avoid AI, the four methods above are the most direct.
Which method should I try to remove AI from Google?
For simplicity and cross-platform support, appending -AI to every query is the fastest method. It requires no setup and works on both desktop and mobile. For a permanent solution on desktop, creating a site search shortcut for the Web tab is highly effective. Web Guide mode is a good middle ground for those who still want some AI organization without sacrificing visibility of traditional links. Browser extensions are useful for users who prefer a one-click fix but should be chosen carefully to avoid security risks.
Source: ZDNET News