Hate that Google uses AI to answer your queries and want your old search results back? Learn how to get rid of Google AI Overviews and restore traditional Google Search.
Have you ever searched for something on Google expecting a simple answer, only to receive information you never wanted to see? That’s one of the biggest frustrations I have with Google AI Overviews. Imagine looking up how many episodes a TV series has because you simply want to know how much you have left to watch. Instead of answering that straightforward question, Google’s AI-generated summary reveals major plot twists and spoilers about the ending. What’s even more frustrating is that the second search result, a traditional website link, provides exactly the information you wanted without spoiling anything.
Experiences like this make me question whether AI-generated answers actually improve every search experience. AI Overviews can be inaccurate, irrelevant, and sometimes reveal far more information than we ask for. What’s worse, Google doesn’t provide a simple setting to completely turn off these standard AI-generated summaries.
I don’t have a problem with artificial intelligence itself, but I don’t want it forced into every search. Sometimes, I just want to find a website, read the information myself, and decide what I want to explore further. That’s why I started looking for ways to get rid of Google AI Overviews and bring back the traditional Google Search experience.
If you’ve been looking why AI is suddenly everywhere, whether it’s possible to opt out, or how to put Google Search back to normal, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore the ways to get rid of the “Google AI” from your search page.
Why Is AI Suddenly Everywhere?
Artificial intelligence is no longer limited to chatbots and experimental tools. It’s becoming part of search engines, browsers, productivity applications, and everyday digital services. But why are companies integrating AI into almost everything?
I recently read an interesting article in MIT Technology Review, Five Things You Need to Know About AI, which highlights how rapidly AI is expanding, along with its potential benefits and growing concerns. While AI can support productivity and scientific research, issues such as deepfakes, misuse, and public backlash also highlight the challenges surrounding its growth.
Google is following this trend with AI Overviews, using generative AI to summarize information directly in search results instead of simply showing website links.
The problem isn’t that AI exists; it’s that AI is increasingly becoming part of experiences where users may not want it.
I don’t mind using AI when it’s helpful, but I still want the freedom to choose how I search. That’s why I started looking for ways to get rid of Google AI Overviews and restore traditional Google Search.
Is It Possible to Opt Out of Google AI?
When I started looking for a way to disable Google AI Overviews, I expected to find a simple toggle in Google Search settings that would let me return to traditional search results.
Unfortunately, Google doesn’t provide a universal option to turn off standard AI Overviews. Although Search Labs offers controls for experimental AI features, these don’t remove every AI-generated summary from regular search results.
Why Doesn’t Google Search Labs Have a Complete Disable Option?
Google Search Labs allows users to enable or disable experimental features. However, turning off the experimental AI Overviews and more feature doesn’t necessarily disable standard AI Overviews.
I also came across a Google Search Community discussion where a user reported that Search Labs wasn’t available in their country, making these controls inaccessible.
Why Is There No Turn-Off Button for Google AI Overviews?
Google considers AI Overviews a core part of its Search experience, rather than an optional experiment. That’s why disabling Search Labs experiments doesn’t completely remove them.
I found this disappointing because a simple AI Overview off switch would give users more control over their search experience.
However, I didn’t give up on Google Search just yet. I continued exploring and discovered another way to access traditional text-based search results.
Remember: Disabling Search Labs experiments doesn’t turn off all standard AI Overviews, and Search Labs may not be available to everyone.
How Do You Put Google Back to Normal?
After exploring Google Search Labs, I discovered the Google Web filter, a simple way to access traditional search results without AI Overviews.
Unlike the regular All results view, the Web filter displays text-based website links, helping you return to a more familiar Google Search experience.
Use Google Web Filter to Remove AI Overviews
How to Apply It:
Search your topic on Google > Find the search filters below the search bar > Select Web (open the More menu if you cannot see it) > Browse traditional text-based search results without AI Overviews.
What You Get:
- Traditional website links instead of AI-generated summaries.
- Access to original websites and information.
- A cleaner Google Search experience without AI Overviews.
Important Limitation: You need to select the Web filter again for subsequent searches. It isn’t a permanent setting that automatically applies to every new search.
My observation: The Web filter works, but repeatedly selecting it after every search can become inconvenient. I wanted a more automatic solution, so I started exploring other ways to hide AI Overviews on my devices.
How to Get Rid of Google AI Overviews on Different Devices
After trying Google’s Web filter, I realised that selecting it manually after every search could become inconvenient. I wanted a solution that would make traditional search results easier to access without repeating the same steps.
That’s when I started exploring different methods for Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone. Depending on your device and browser, you can use a browser extension, Google’s Web-only search URL, an alternative search engine, or change your default search settings.
1. Hide Google AI Overviews on Windows PC Using Browser Extensions
Recommended method: Hide Google AI Overviews extension
For Windows users, browser extensions are one of the most convenient ways to hide Google AI Overviews. Instead of selecting the Web filter every time, you can install an extension designed to automatically hide supported AI-generated summaries from Google Search.
One option worth exploring is Hide Google AI Overviews, available through the Chrome Web Store.
How to Apply It:
Open Your Chrome Browser > Visit the Chrome Web Store > Search for Hide Google AI Overviews (or open the extension link above) > Click Add to Chrome > Confirm the installation > Perform a new Google Search > Check whether the AI Overview section is hidden.
What You Get:
- Automatically hides supported AI Overview sections.
- Reduces the need to select Google’s Web filter manually.
- Makes traditional website links easier to access.
- Provides a cleaner Google Search experience.
Important Limitation: The extension hides AI Overview elements displayed on supported Google Search pages; it does not disable Google’s underlying AI functionality. Its behaviour may also change when Google updates its search interface. Before installing it, review the developer information, permissions, privacy policy, and recent updates.
My observation: Browser extensions can make the process more convenient, particularly when you regularly use Google Search on a Windows PC. However, I wanted to explore an option that didn’t require installing an additional extension, which led me to Google’s
udm=14URL parameter.
2. Remove Google AI Overviews on Mac Using udm=14
Recommended method: Google’s Web-only search URL
Mac users can use the udm=14 URL parameter to access Google’s Web-filtered search results. This is useful when you want traditional website links without manually selecting the Web filter after every search.
Search URL to Use:
https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14Here, %s represents your search query, while udm=14 directs Google towards its Web results.
How to Apply It in Google Chrome on Mac:
Open Google Chrome > Enter chrome://settings/searchEngines in the address bar > Find the Site Search section > Click Add > Enter Google Web as the search engine name > Add @web as the shortcut > Paste https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14 as the URL > Click Add to save.
Once configured, you can use the shortcut:
Open a new Chrome tab > Type @web in the address bar > Enter your search query > Press Enter > Browse Google’s Web-only search results.
You can also make Google Web your default search engine if your Chrome version provides that option.
What You Get:
- Direct access to Google’s Web-filtered search results.
- No need to install an additional browser extension.
- A convenient custom search shortcut for traditional Google Search.
- An alternative to manually selecting the Web filter after every search.
Important Limitation: The udm=14 parameter is an unofficial workaround, not a permanent Google setting. Google does not guarantee that it will continue working. These instructions are for Chrome on Mac; Safari users can select the Web filter manually instead.
My observation: I find this approach useful because it lets me continue using Google without installing an extension. However, since it relies on an unofficial URL parameter, I also wanted to explore another option for mobile users.
3. Get Google Search Without AI on Android and iPhone Using Bing
Recommended alternative: Microsoft Bing
On Android and iPhone, browser extensions and custom search configurations aren’t always as convenient as they are on desktop computers. That’s why switching to an alternative search engine can be another practical option.
Microsoft Bing provides traditional search results alongside its AI-powered features. It also offers the -ai search modifier, which lets users request results without AI-generated answers.
How to Apply It:
Open the Google Play Store or App Store > Install the Microsoft Bing application (or visit Bing.com in your mobile browser) > Enter your search topic > Add -ai at the end of your search query > Press Search > Browse the available results.
Example:
Normal search:
Best smartphones under $500Search using the -ai modifier:
Best smartphones under $500 -aiMicrosoft announced the -ai search operator on November 11, 2026, as a way to request Bing results without AI-generated answers. It also introduced a browser extension preview with a toggle for switching Bing’s AI answers on or off.
What You Get:
- An alternative to Google Search on mobile devices.
- A way to request traditional search results using the
-aimodifier. - No need to install a separate extension to exclude AI-generated answers from individual searches.
- More flexibility when choosing how you search.
Important Limitation: You need to append -ai to each search query where you want to exclude AI-generated answers. This is a search-specific option, not a permanent setting that disables every AI feature across Bing.
My observation: Switching to Bing gives you another way to search without relying exclusively on Google. However, I also wanted a solution that could work across different browsers, especially for people who prefer to keep their existing search engine settings.
4. Change Your Default Search Engine in Popular Browsers
Recommended method: Choose an alternative default search engine
Another option is to change your browser’s default search engine. This means searches from your browser’s address bar will use your selected search provider instead of automatically opening Google.
Depending on your browser, you may be able to choose alternatives such as Bing, DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, or Ecosia.
How to Apply It:
Here are the settings paths for popular desktop and mobile browsers.
Google Chrome
Open Chrome > Click the three-dot menu > Select Settings > Open Search engine > Click Change > Choose your preferred search engine.
Official guide: Set your default search engine – Google Chrome Help.
Microsoft Edge
Search once using your preferred search engine in the address bar > Open Settings and more > Select Settings > Go to Privacy, search, and services > Open Search and connected services > Select Address bar and search > Choose your preferred search engine.
Official guide: Change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge – Microsoft Support.
Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox > Click the menu button > Select Settings > Open Search > Find Default search engine > Choose your preferred search engine.
Official guide: Manage Firefox search settings – Mozilla Support.
Apple Safari on Mac
Open Safari > Select Safari from the menu bar > Click Settings > Open Search > Choose your preferred search engine.
Official guide: Change Search settings in Safari on Mac – Apple Support.
Apple Safari on iPhone
Open the Settings app > Tap Search > Select Search Engine > Choose your preferred search engine.
Official guide: Change your default search engine on iPhone – Apple Support.
Brave Browser
Open Brave > Click the menu button > Select Settings > Go to Search Engine > Choose your preferred default search engine.
Official guide: How do I set my default search engine? – Brave Help Center.
Opera Browser
Open Opera > Go to Settings > Find Search engine > Select your preferred search engine.
Official guide: Search – Opera Help.
Vivaldi Browser
Open Vivaldi > Go to Settings > Select Search > Open Default Search Engine > Choose your preferred search engine.
Official guide: Search Settings in Vivaldi – Vivaldi Browser Help.
Samsung Internet
Open Samsung Internet > Tap the three-dot menu > Select Settings > Find Default address bar search engine > Choose your preferred search engine.
Official guide: Use the Samsung Browser app on a Galaxy phone or tablet – Samsung Support.
What You Get:
- Address-bar searches use your selected search provider instead of Google.
- Less dependence on Google for everyday searches.
- More flexibility to choose a search engine that matches your preferences.
- An alternative search experience without manually opening another search website.
Important Limitation: Changing your default search engine does not permanently disable Google AI Overviews. It only changes the search provider used for address-bar searches. When you visit Google.com directly, AI Overviews may still appear. Alternative search engines can also have their own AI-powered features.
My observation: Changing the default search engine is useful when you want to move away from Google for everyday searches. However, it doesn’t remove AI from every search engine or change Google’s behaviour when you visit it directly. For that reason, I would treat it as an alternative search preference rather than a complete Google AI Overview removal method.
Final Thoughts: Get Normal Google Search Back Without AI Overviews
After exploring Google Search settings, Search Labs, and different workarounds, I realised that there is no permanent switch to disable standard Google AI Overviews. However, we can still access a more traditional search experience.
Important Limitation: Keep in mind that above mention all workarounds are not permanent solutions. Some require manual steps, while extensions and unofficial URL methods may stop working after updates.
My observation: I don’t want to reject AI; I simply want the freedom to choose between AI-generated answers and traditional website links. Until Google provides a proper opt-out setting, these methods offer a practical way to get closer to the search experience I prefer.
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