Did you know that Google AI sometimes gets your search intent wrong? If you’ve felt frustrated by irrelevant summaries, you’re not alone. Learning how to turn off these AI overviews can make your online experience better. In this article, we’ll discuss easy steps to disable this feature so you can find the exact information you need without any distractions.

While you can’t completely turn off Google AI Overviews in every instance, there are multiple effective alternatives available.

Method 1: Apply the “Web” filter in Google Search

This is the easiest solution, and it is even recommended by Google’s support team.

• Click “More” under the search bar after a search.  
• Select “Web” to view basic link-only results.  
• This action hides the AI summary box.

You have to repeat this process every time.

Method 2: Add “-ai” to your search query to refine the results

• Append “-ai” to your search queries.  
• This excludes results labeled with “AI.”  
• Helps refine search results for more relevant information.  
• A simple technique to filter out unwanted content.

Method 3: Utilize a custom search engine with the UDM=14 technique

• Open Chrome settings.

• Go to “Search engine.”
• Select “Manage search engines.”
• Configure your custom search engine.

• Now, scroll down to find “Site search” on your screen.

Create a new “site search” entry with the following details:

• Name: Choose any title you prefer (e.g., “Google AI”).
• Shortcut: Use a keyword like G@ or any other term you like.
• URL: {google:baseURL}search?q=%s&udm=14

Set this custom search engine as your default. This way, when you perform a search, it will utilize this specific URL and is less likely to display AI Overview results.

Method 4: Utilize browser extensions for enhanced functionality

• You can find Chrome extensions that can hide the AI Overview part, such as “Disable AI Overview” or “Turn Off AI Overview” in the Chrome Web Store.
  Another option available is “Turn Off Google AI Overview” also in the Chrome Web Store.
• If you use uBlock Origin, which blocks ads and content, you can create custom filters to hide the AI Overview section.
• For instance, you could use this filter: google.com##.M8OgIe from How-To Geek.

Method 5: Disable Search Labs experiment

• Launch Chrome and visit Google Labs.  

• Find the AI-Overview option on the homepage.  
• Click on “AI Overviews & more” for experiments.  
• Toggle off the AI Overview feature.  
• A message informs you that disabling it won’t affect general AI Overviews in Search.  
• You’ll see standard search results without AI.  

• After disabling, Google will prompt for feedback.  
• They seek your experience, reasons for disabling, and usability insights.

Method 6: Use incognito mode or browse while signed out

• Some claim AI Overviews may not show when users are logged out of Google accounts.  
• Using Incognito or Private Browsing mode can be an effective alternative for searches.

Conclusion

Some think AI Overviews might not show up for users logged out of their Google accounts. However, search behavior can still provide useful insights. Using Incognito or Private Browsing mode lets users search without personalized algorithms affecting results, leading to a wider range of information. Even if the AI Overview is missing, users can still find relevant information through other methods. Explore these options to improve your online searches and gain new perspectives on topics you care about.

FAQs

What are AI Overviews and why are they important?

AI Overviews are summaries generated by artificial intelligence that provide users with concise information about their search queries, enhancing the overall experience by presenting relevant details quickly.

Will I see AI Overviews if I’m logged out of my Google account?

There is speculation that AI Overviews may not be as prevalent for logged-out users; however, valuable insights can still be obtained from broader search behaviors.

How can I search without personalized algorithms affecting my results?

Using features like Incognito or Private Browsing mode allows you to search without personalized results, providing a wider range of search outcomes.

What are the benefits of using Incognito or Private Browsing mode?

This mode helps maintain privacy and ensures that your previous searches and preferences do not influence the results you receive, leading to a more objective search.

If AI Overviews aren’t available, how can I still find relevant information?

You can access relevant information through alternative searching techniques, such as using specific keywords or exploring different search engines.