Google's AI Overviews are receiving mixed reviews since their widespread rollout. Google says that these AI-generated summaries provide helpful quick answers. But many users find them intrusive, inaccurate, and energy-wasteful.
In this guide, we’ll explore why you might want to disable AI Overviews and provide multiple methods to do so.
The most significant concern users have with AI Overviews is their inconsistency.
While the feature performs adequately for basic factual queries like "When did World War II start?" It struggles with more complex questions and might often misinterpret search queries.
Worse yet, sometimes, AI-generated advice can be downright dangerous. Take, for example, reported suggestions to drink urine for hydration.
One Reddit user said that every Google search feels like "shooting a flaming arrow into the Amazon. This problem is worse because AI Overviews show up even when people don't want them. The AI uses energy whether or not users find it helpful, which feels wasteful and bad for the environment.
People also try to turn off this feature because they don't want AI responses forced on them.
Google used to let users control their search experience, but now Google decides for them. This goes against how people like to get information online. Some people want AI help, others prefer regular search results. When users can't choose whether to see AI responses, they lose control over their search experience.
Many people find this unacceptable. It's especially annoying because AI Overviews used to be optional in Google Labs, but Google made them mandatory without asking users first.
Originally, AI Overviews were available as an experimental feature called "Search Generative Experience" through Google's Search Labs program.
During this phase, we could voluntarily opt into the feature to test it out, and more importantly, easily turn it off.
However, Google eventually decided to roll out AI Overviews more broadly, and with this transition, Google has removed the option to disable AI overviews altogether.
Whether you like them or not, Google wants you to be stuck with them.
Google Support documentation states:
"Turning off 'AI Overviews and more' experiment in Search Labs will not disable all AI Overviews."
This means that even if users still have access to the old Search Labs toggle (which many don't), turning it off won't actually disable the AI Overviews that now appear in regular search results.
Fun fact: If you search "How to turn off AI Overviews in Chrome," Google's own support page comes up first. But it doesn't tell you how to actually turn them off. It just explains that the old method from Search Labs doesn't work anymore.
Google doesn't let you officially turn off AI Overviews, so users have found their own ways around it. Here are the best methods for desktop browsers.
The best long-term fix is to create a custom search engine in Chrome that skips AI Overviews. This works by sending your searches to Google's "Web" tab, which doesn't show AI content. Here's how to do it:
Once you set this up, searches from Chrome's address bar will skip AI Overviews and only show regular web results. This is probably the best method because it stops AI responses from appearing at all.
Several browser extensions can hide AI Overviews from view, though they don't prevent Google from generating the responses in the background. Popular options include:
While extensions are easier to install than changing browser settings, they have some drawbacks.
For one, the AI content is still being generated (using energy and resources), just hidden from view. Extensions can also break when Google updates its search interface.
One popular trick is to add swear words to your searches. Google's filters seem to block AI Overviews when they detect curse words in your search.
For example:
You can even automated this by modifying their default search engine to include a profanity term that won't significantly alter results:
{google:baseURL}search?q=%s+-arse
Without profanity:
With profanity:
Other search operators that can help avoid AI Overviews include:
These operators work because they make searches more specific or technical, which seems to reduce the likelihood of triggering AI Overview generation.
For users of the uBlock Origin ad blocker, there's a simple filter that can remove AI Overviews:
This method works by blocking the specific HTML element that contains AI Overviews on Google's search results page.
But like browser extensions, this only hides the content — not prevents its generation. That said, it's effective and integrates with existing ad-blocking setups.
Disabling AI Overviews on mobile devices is more challenging than on desktop due to limited browser customization options. However, several effective workarounds exist.
For Android Chrome users, the easiest way is to use a helper website that automatically configures the necessary settings:
Done! Now searches performed through Chrome's address bar will bypass AI Overviews and show only traditional web results.
This is essentially the same as replacing URL parameters on the desktop version, only in a mobile-friendly setup.
Firefox offers more flexibility for custom search engines on mobile, allowing for manual configuration:
Method 1: Using TenBlueLinks (Recommended). Follow the same steps as the Android Chrome method above — Firefox will also recognize the Google Web option after visiting the helper site.
Method 2: Manual Configuration. For users who prefer to set it up manually:
TenBlueLinks is a website that makes it easy to disable AI Overviews on any mobile browser. It's designed specifically to help users avoid Google's AI responses.
What TenBlueLinks does:
How to use it:
TenBlueLinks is popular because it's simple to use. Instead of figuring out technical settings yourself, the website walks you through each step. The creators keep it updated when browsers change, making it one of the most reliable options for mobile users.
Keep in mind: These mobile methods don't actually stop Google from creating AI responses — they just hide them from you. Google may still be using energy to generate the AI content in the background, but you won't see it in your search results.
If workarounds seem too complicated or you're simply fed up with Google's approach, switching to alternative search engines and browsers is a more permanent solution.
Here are the most popular options that don't force AI responses on users:
DuckDuckGo is the most popular Google alternative, known for privacy protection and clean search results without AI. Also, this search engine doesn't track users or create personalized profiles.
Startpage is an interesting middle ground — it actually uses Google's search results but strips away all the tracking, personalization, and AI features. It’s basically Google but without Google watching you.
Ecosia uses the money they earn to plant trees. So if you want to offset the negative impact of Google’s AI search results, look no further than this one. Every search contributes to reforestation projects around the world, making it an environmentally conscious alternative.
While Firefox is a browser rather than a search engine, it's worth mentioning because it offers better control over your search experience than Chrome.
Firefox makes it easier to implement the various AI-blocking workarounds and gives you more control over your browsing experience. You can combine Firefox with any of the search engines mentioned above for maximum freedom from unwanted AI content.
Making the switch: Switching search engines is usually as simple as changing your browser's default search setting or bookmarking your preferred alternative. Most people find the transition easier than expected, especially when they realize how much cleaner and faster their searches become without AI overviews.
Google's AI Overviews have divided the community, with many users frustrated by a feature they can’t turn off. As Reddit user blckrcknbts explained: "I googled how to turn it off, and I got the AI overview of course, and it hallucinated a ridiculous answer apparently based on the previews of the first 3 search results below it!"
The sentiment is echoed in Google's own support forums, where user Erica Welter reported: "These instructions do not work. EDIT: I'm switching to another browser" and kevin price stated: "If AI is not optional I will sadly look for other options for browser and email."
Even former Google employees have weighed in, with one stating: "they had one good idea, the quality search engine and ever since they're just breaking it and everything else they own for the sake of a few extra bucks."
While Google doesn't offer an official way to disable AI Overviews, the methods outlined above give you several options to regain control of your search experience.
