Do a quick Google search for any topic, and you'll likely see an AI-generated summary at the top of the results page. This feature, called AI Overviews, was introduced in May 2024 and has since rolled out to over 200 countries. While it aims to provide quick answers, it often discourages users from clicking through to actual websites, hurting publishers and sometimes providing incorrect information. Unfortunately, Google has not provided an official toggle to disable AI Overviews. However, there are several effective workarounds that can help you bypass or hide these summaries.
Method 1: Use the '-AI' Modifier in Your Search Query
The simplest way to prevent AI Overviews from appearing is to append -AI to the end of your search query. This modifier tells Google to exclude any results or features related to AI summaries. It works on both desktop and mobile browsers, including the Google app. For example, if you search for "how to clear iPhone cache -AI", the results page will display only traditional blue links without the AI-generated paragraph at the top. You may still see featured snippets, but those are different—they include a prominent link to the source and are much shorter than AI Overviews. This method is quick, does not require any settings changes, and can be used for every search.
Method 2: Enable Web Guide Mode (Desktop Only)
Google Search Labs offers an experimental feature called Web Guide mode. When enabled, this mode reorganizes search results to prioritize classic blue links while still using AI to group related content. AI Overviews are pushed further down the page, so the first thing you see is a list of traditional links. To activate Web Guide, sign into your Google account, visit Search Labs, and toggle on the Web Guide experiment. Then perform a search—you'll see a new "Web" tab alongside the standard tabs. The AI summaries still exist but appear below the first few organic results. Note that Web Guide is currently available only on desktop browsers and may not be rolled out to all users permanently.
Method 3: Use Google's Web Tab (With a Custom Shortcut)
Google's Web tab, hidden under the "More" menu, provides a pure search experience with no AI Overviews. You can access it manually by clicking "More" then "Web", but that's inconvenient for frequent searches. A better approach is to create a custom site search shortcut in Chrome (or Edge, Firefox) that automatically routes all queries through the Web tab using the parameter udm=14. In Chrome, go to Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, click Add, and fill in: Name "Google (Web)", Shortcut "web" (or any keyword), and URL with {google:baseURL}search?udm=14&q=%s. Then set this new shortcut as the default search engine. Every address bar search will then use the Web filter, completely eliminating AI Overviews. Firefox and Edge offer similar functionality.
Method 4: Use a Browser Extension to Hide AI Summaries
If you prefer a visual fix, several browser extensions can hide AI Overviews from Google Search results. One popular option is "Bye Bye, Google AI" or "Hide AI Overviews" available in the Chrome Web Store. After installing the extension, simply reload any Google Search page, and the AI paragraph will be hidden from view. The extension does not remove the underlying data, but it prevents it from appearing on your screen. This method works only on desktop browsers (Chrome, Edge, etc.) and is best for users who want a simple, one-time setup without altering search queries or browser settings. Remember to periodically check for updates to ensure compatibility with Google's design changes.
Why Avoid AI Overviews?
AI Overviews have sparked widespread criticism. A 2025 Pew Research study found that when an AI Overview appears, users click a traditional search result only 8% of the time (versus 15% without). This dramatically reduces traffic to websites that produce original content. Additionally, the summaries can be inaccurate—the infamous example from mid-2024 where Google recommended adding glue to pizza cheese is well-documented. Publishers and journalists rely on search traffic for revenue and visibility, so the rise of AI summaries threatens the sustainability of quality journalism. Even if you don't care about the industry impact, you might prefer the control and transparency of clicking through to a source rather than relying on a generated summary.
Other Ways to Avoid AI in Search
Beyond these four methods, you can also switch to alternative search engines that prioritize privacy and traditional results. DuckDuckGo offers an AI assist feature but allows you to disable it easily. Dogpile and Metacrawler are older meta-search engines that do not use AI summaries. However, they may not be as comprehensive as Google. For users who want to stick with Google but avoid AI, the methods above are reliable and require minimal effort. The '-AI' trick is by far the fastest and works everywhere, while the Web tab shortcut is best for power users who want a permanent solution.
What Are Google AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are Gemini-powered summaries that appear at the top of Google Search results. They extract information from multiple sources and present it as a single paragraph, often with citations. The feature was launched in the US in May 2024 and expanded globally. According to Google, it is available in over 200 countries and 40 languages. The company claims the summaries save time and provide direct answers, but many users find them intrusive and unhelpful.
Can I Turn Off AI Overviews Permanently?
As of mid-2025, Google has not provided an official setting to disable AI Overviews. The company continues to test different placements and formats, but no off switch exists. The methods described here are the only known workarounds. They may stop working if Google changes its search algorithms or removes the udm=14 parameter. However, the '-AI' modifier has remained effective for many months and is likely to continue working as a simple exclusion technique.
Which Method Is Best?
For most users, the '-AI' modifier is the fastest and easiest because it requires no configuration—just add three characters to each search. For those who want a permanent solution on desktop, creating a custom site search shortcut to the Web tab (udm=14) is the most elegant. Extensions are good for users who prefer a visual fix, while Web Guide mode offers a middle ground if you're willing to engage with an experimental feature. All methods work on desktop, but only the '-AI' modifier and (in some browsers) the Web tab shortcut work on mobile. Choose the one that best fits your browsing habits.
Source: ZDNET News