How to Disable Google AI-Powered Search Results and Overviews

2024/05/28

Key Notes

You cannot fully opt out of AI overviews, but you can disable them from appearing.
Using the ‘Web’ tab in search results provides a temporary solution.
Browser extensions can provide a more permanent solution for disabling AI overviews.

How to Effectively Disable AI Overviews on Google Search

With Google increasingly integrating AI features like overviews in search results, many users have found these summaries unhelpful. This guide provides clear steps to effectively disable AI overviews, ensuring a more streamlined search experience.

Disabling AI Overviews on Google Search

AI overviews can clutter search results and detract from finding relevant information. Here are various strategies to sidestep these AI-generated summaries on both computers and mobile devices.

Step 1: Use the Web Tab on Google Search

For a quick way to bypass AI overviews during your current search, you can select More > Web from the result tabs.

Pro Tip: Returning to the standard view is as simple as clicking the All option.

Step 2: Make Web Search Your Default Google Search Page in Chrome

Setting a custom search engine helps ensure your Google searches remain in the ‘Web’ domain, keeping AI overviews at bay. Follow these steps:

Open Chrome and select the three-dot icon at the top right, then navigate to Settings.
Click on Search Engine from the left pane and access Manage search engines.
Alternatively, enter chrome://settings/searchEngines into your address bar.
Click on Add next to “Site search”.
Enter Google Web for “Name”.
Type @web for “Shortcut”.
Enter {google:baseURL}search?q=%s&udm=14 for “URL”.
Hit Save and set Google Web as your default engine.

This configuration will prevent AI overviews from showing up in your results.

Step 3: Using an Extension/Add-on

Several browser extensions can effectively disable AI overviews for you. Consider the following:

Install any of these extensions based on your browser preference for a straightforward solution.

Step 4: From Search Labs

If you’re in a region where AI overviews are in test mode, you can disable them via Search Labs.

Open a new tab and click the beaker icon.
Under AI experiments, select AI Overviews and more.
Toggle off the feature as desired.

Step 5: Block AI Overviews Using uBlock Extension Script

uBlock Origin allows you to create filters that block any unwanted elements from appearing:

Install uBlock Origin.
Open the extension from the menu and click Settings.
Under “My filters”, input google.com##.GcKpu and apply the changes.
Refresh Google search to see the updates.

Step 6: Use udm14.com

Visiting udm14.com directly allows you to execute searches without AI overviews:

Simply input your queries here for a traditional Google search experience.

Summary

In this guide, we explored several strategies for disabling AI overviews on Google Search. From browser settings to extensions, users across different platforms can successfully tailor their search experience to bypass AI elements.

Conclusion

Disabling AI overviews enhances your search results by allowing more direct access to relevant content. Implement the methods described in this guide, and you can regain control of your Google searches. Keep exploring and optimizing your digital experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you opt out of Google’s AI overviews?

If Google’s AI overviews were enabled through Search Labs, you can opt out of them there. However, if they’re enabled by default in your region, you’ll need to employ the methods detailed above to disable them.

Why are AI overviews still showing if they’re disabled in Search Labs?

If AI overviews are still visible after being shut off in Search Labs, it could be due to them being enabled regionally by default. Use the methods outlined in this guide to disable them.