Disable Google AI Overviews in Your Search Results
▼ Summary
– You can temporarily disable Google’s AI Overviews in a desktop browser by adding “–ai” to the end of your search query.
– Google states that most users find AI Overviews helpful and rarely use the existing “Web” filter to see only links.
– This “–ai” trick works by using Google’s en dash function to exclude a term and appears to be an incidental workaround, not a permanent feature.
– The workaround is limited, as it does not function in the iOS Google Search apps, though a “Classic Search” button is available there.
– For a search engine without generative AI, alternatives like DuckDuckGo and Brave offer settings to toggle AI summaries on or off.
Navigating the web today often feels like an endless parade of AI-powered features vying for your attention. For those who prefer the straightforward list of website links that defined search for decades, Google’s AI Overviews can be an intrusive addition. Fortunately, a simple keyboard shortcut offers a temporary escape hatch, restoring a more traditional search experience directly from your desktop browser.
If you want to bypass Google’s AI-generated summaries, simply type “–ai” at the end of your search query. This neat trick, highlighted by readers and confirmed in testing, effectively prevents the AI Overview box from appearing on your results page. It functions similarly to adding other terms with an en dash, like “–1” or “–z,” which are designed to exclude that specific topic from results. The removal of AI Overviews appears to be a beneficial side effect of this existing search operator, though it’s not guaranteed to be a permanent solution.
Google has integrated AI Overviews deeply into its core search experience. A company spokesperson stated that people find Search more helpful with AI Overviews and are using it more frequently as a result. They noted that while a ‘Web’ filter exists to show only links, it sees minimal use. The spokesperson compared AI Overviews to other embedded features, such as knowledge panels, implying they are now a fundamental, non-removable part of the service.
This “–ai” workaround currently seems limited to searches conducted on a computer’s web browser. When tested in mobile browser apps on iOS, the AI-generated “web guide” still appeared prominently. However, on those mobile results, a Classic Search button is often available on the right side; clicking it reloads the page to show a mix of standard links and videos. Interestingly, on Android devices, specifically a Google Pixel tested, using the “–ai” suffix did successfully remove the AI summaries.
For many users, this shortcut provides a welcome return to simplicity. It becomes a quick habit, much like appending “Reddit” to a query to find forum discussions. There’s a certain nostalgia for the clean, uncluttered search results of the past, free from AI interpretation. After entering your search, you can also manually select the “Web” tab located beneath the search bar, sometimes hidden under a “More” menu, to view only website links.
The launch of AI Overviews in 2024 marked a significant shift for Google Search, though it was not without controversy. The feature faced widespread criticism for occasionally providing inaccurate or nonsensical answers, such as the notorious suggestion to use glue on pizza. Despite these early stumbles, Google has continued to refine and expand its AI tools within search.
While Google states the accuracy of AI Overviews has improved, generative AI can still introduce errors when summarizing complex information. This inherent risk is a strong argument for verifying facts by visiting the original source websites directly. For those seeking alternatives, search engines like DuckDuckGo and Brave offer user-controlled settings to toggle AI summaries on or off. Switching your default search engine is a straightforward process in most browsers, including Chrome, providing another path to a more traditional search experience without leaving your preferred browser.
(Source: Wired)
