Google’s AI overview feature can feel like an unnecessary addition to your search experience. While some find the AI-generated summaries useful, you might prefer a traditional search without the extra clutter. If you want to turn off AI overview, the good news is you have several effective options to regain control of your search results.
Some people are not fans of the Google AI Overview when searching as an AI digital marketing agency we are a fan of it, but below we will instruct you as an end user to search without Google AI Overview.
This guide will walk you through different methods to block Google AI overviews. From temporary fixes to permanent solutions on your desktop and mobile browser, you will learn how to customize your search settings. Soon you’ll be able to hide Google AI and enjoy a cleaner, ai free web search.
What Are Google’s AI Overviews?
Google AI Overviews are summaries generated by artificial intelligence that appear at the very top of some search results pages. These boxes aim to provide a direct answer to your search query by synthesizing information from multiple web pages. This feature is part of a broader push by search engines to integrate AI directly into the user experience.
When you perform a Google search, the system determines if your query can be best answered with a quick summary. If so, it creates one of these AI responses, changing the look and feel of the results you’ve been used to for years. The goal is to give you information faster, but it also distances you from the original source content.
Many users have expressed a desire to hide Google AI overviews. The reasons vary, from concerns about the accuracy of AI summaries to a preference for browsing a list of links to form their own conclusions. Disabling Google’s new feature allows you to return to a more familiar and traditional search format.
The “Web” Tab: Google’s Built-In Filter
The simplest way to bypass the Google AI overview is by using a built-in filter. After you make a search, look at the row of filters below the search bar, which includes options like “Images,” “News,” and “Shopping.” There is a filter that removes all the AI-generated responses.
To find it, click on the “More” button at the end of the filter list. A dropdown menu will appear, and from there you can select the “Web” tab. Clicking this immediately reloads the page, showing you only the classic, ten-blue-links style of search results, free from any AI overview.
The main drawback of this method is its temporary nature. You must manually select the Web tab for every single search query where you want to hide google ai. While straightforward for occasional use, it can become repetitive if you want to permanently block Google AI overviews.
How to Permanently Block Google AI Overviews on Desktop
For a more permanent solution on your desktop computer, you can create a custom search engine in your browser. This method tells your browser to automatically add a special parameter to all your Google search requests. This parameter forces Google to always show you the “Web” results, effectively letting you block Google AI for good.
This process works on most modern browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. You will need to access your browser settings and add a new entry for your search engine. The key is using a specific URL that contains the code to trigger the traditional search format.
Creating a Custom Search Engine in Google Chrome
Setting up a permanent way to hide Google is simple in Chrome. You’ll add a new site search option and then set it as your default. Follow these steps carefully to modify your search experience.
- Open Chrome, click the three-dots menu in the top-right corner, and choose Settings.
- In the Settings menu, click on “Search engine” on the left-hand side.
- Click on “Manage search engines and site search”. This is where you can add, edit, or remove search options.
- Next to “Site search,” click the Add button to create your new custom search engine.
- A pop-up window will appear with three fields. Fill them out as follows:
- Name: Type Google Web or another descriptive name.
- Shortcut: This can be any shortcut you like, such as web.
- URL with %s in place of query: Enter this exact search string: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14. This URL is the critical part of the process.
- Click the “Add” button to save your new site search. Now, find the entry you just created in the “Site search” list, click the three-dots menu next to it, and select “Make default.”
Once you’ve set your new creation as the default search engine, all searches from the address bar will automatically bypass the Google AI overview. This change gives you back the classic web search you prefer. This is the most reliable way to disable AI features in search.
Setting Up a Custom Search in Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox users can also block Google AI overviews using a similar technique. The process involves adding a new search engine within the browser settings. It ensures all your future web search queries use the classic interface.
First, open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu, then select “Settings.” From there, navigate to the “Search” panel. This section controls your default search engine and other search-related preferences.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Search panel to find the “Add search engine” button and click it. In the dialog that appears, you will need to provide the same type of information as in Chrome. Use https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14 for the search string and give it a name like Google (No AI). After you click add, you can set it as your default search option.
Instructions for Other Desktop Browsers
Most modern web browsers are based on the same technology as Chrome, which makes the process of adding a custom search engine very similar. In browsers like Microsoft Edge, Brave, or Vivaldi, you can typically find the settings under “Privacy, search, and services” or a similar menu. Look for the “Address bar and search” section.
From there, you should be able to manage search engines and add a new one. Use the same URL (https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14) to create your AI-free search. Once added, you can promote it to your default search engine, ensuring all your searches from the address bar are free of ai-generated summaries.
How to Hide Google AI Overviews on Mobile Browsers
You are not limited to the desktop when you want to block google ai overviews. The same custom search engine method can be applied to the Chrome mobile browser on both Android and iOS mobile devices. This allows for a consistent, AI-free search experience across all your devices.
Unfortunately, this method does not work for the dedicated Google Search app itself. The official app does not permit you to change the underlying search engine. These steps apply specifically to using a mobile browser like Chrome or Firefox.
Hiding AI Overviews in Chrome Mobile Browser
To get started on your mobile device, open the Chrome mobile app. The steps are nearly identical for both Android and iOS. This adjustment will permanently change how the browser handles your search requests.
- Open the Chrome app on your phone. Tap the three-dots menu, usually located in the top-right or bottom-right corner of the screen.
- From the menu, tap “Settings.” Then, select “Search engine.”
- Here you might see an option to select from a list. Look for a link to “Manage search engines” and tap it.
- You’ll need to add your custom search engine. Tap add search engine or a plus icon.
- Fill in the fields just as you did on the desktop. For the Name, use something clear like “Google Web”. For the search string, enter https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14. After you tap save, this option will be available.
- Go back to the main “Search engine” settings screen. Your newly created “Google Web” option should now be in the list. Select it to make it your default search engine.
Now, any search you perform in the Chrome address bar on your phone will go directly to the traditional results page. You have successfully managed to hide google ai from your mobile browsing. You can tap add this functionality whenever you want and remove it later if you change your mind.
| Method | Permanence | Platform | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Tab Filter | Temporary (per search) | Desktop & Mobile | Very Easy |
| Custom Search Engine | Permanent (until changed) | Desktop & Mobile | Moderate (one-time setup) |
| Browser Extension | Permanent (while active) | Desktop Only | Easy |
Using Browser Extensions to Block Google AI
Another popular method for disabling google search ai is using a third-party browser extension. Several developers have created simple tools specifically designed to remove the overviews google ai generates. You can find these by searching your browser’s extension store for terms like “hide google ai” or “no ai search.”
These extensions typically work in one of two ways. Some automatically redirect your search query to the &udm=14 URL, performing the same function as the custom search engine method but without manual setup. Others work by using code to simply hide the AI overview element from the page, so it loads but is not visible to you.
While extensions are convenient, it’s wise to be cautious. When you install an extension, you are giving a third-party developer access to your browsing data. Always check the extension’s ratings, reviews, and privacy policy before installing it to understand what data it collects.
Why Would Someone Want to Turn Off AI Overviews?
There are many reasons a user might want to block google. For some, the AI-generated summaries are not trustworthy. There have been several publicized instances of AI overviews providing incorrect, nonsensical, or even dangerous information, making some users wary of relying on them.
Other users prefer to see the original sources of information. They want to evaluate different websites and perspectives themselves, rather than consuming a pre-digested summary. This is especially true for complex research topics or when looking for buying advice, where nuance and detail from original reviews are important.
Finally, there’s a broader concern about the health of the open internet. Publishers, bloggers, and content creators rely on traffic from search engines. If users get their answers directly from an AI overview without clicking through, it could harm the sites that provide the underlying information, potentially diminishing the quality of the free web over time.
For these reasons, having the option to disable AI and revert to a traditional search format is valuable. Some might even see this level of control as a form of parental control, creating a simpler and more direct search environment that avoids flawed AI responses. It empowers you to choose settings that best fit your needs.
Conclusion
Taking control of your Google search experience is entirely possible. Whether you choose the quick fix of the “Web” tab or set up a permanent solution with a custom search engine, you can easily turn off AI overview features. These methods work across both desktop and mobile browsers, allowing you to hide Google AI wherever you search.
By following the steps for your specific browser, you can block the AI-generated responses and return to a more traditional search format. This allows you to engage directly with source websites and have confidence in your results. You now have the knowledge to shape your search environment just the way you like it.
