How to Turn Off AI in Google Search (or Minimize AI Overviews)
By
Samantha Cox
•
Jun 26, 2025
Google’s AI Overviews launched in May 2024 and fundamentally changed how search results appear, but not everyone welcomes this shift. These AI-generated summaries now dominate the top of google search results, often providing inaccurate information while reducing traffic to the original content creators who produce the valuable information users seek.
If you’re frustrated with overviews cluttering your search experience, you’re not alone. Over 41,000 users have already installed browser extensions specifically designed to block google AI overviews, and countless others are seeking ways to turn off AI in their google searches. Whether you’re an AI engineer who needs precise, unfiltered information or simply prefer more traditional search results, this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to get rid of AI from your google search experience.
You’ll find multiple proven methods to disable AI overviews, from simple URL tricks that work immediately to permanent browser configurations that eliminate AI-generated content from every search. We’ll cover solutions for desktop browsers, mobile devices, and alternative search strategies that prioritize human-curated content over AI generated summaries.
Why Do You Want to Disable Google AI Overviews?
AI Overviews represent a significant shift in how Google presents information, but this change comes with serious drawbacks that affect both users and content creators. Understanding these issues helps explain why so many people want to get rid of Google’s AI features.
Accuracy and Safety Concerns
Google’s AI overview feature has produced many documented cases of dangerous misinformation. High-profile incidents include AI responses suggesting users add glue to pizza or consume rocks, demonstrating how AI generated content can misinterpret satirical or contextual information. For professionals in technical fields, these inaccuracies can be particularly problematic when conducting research or seeking precise information.
The underlying issue stems from how AI systems process information. Unlike traditional search results that direct you to authoritative sources, ai overviews synthesize information from multiple sources without always maintaining context or accuracy. This creates a layer of interpretation that can introduce errors, especially in specialized domains where precision matters most.
Impact on Content Creators
AI Overviews significantly reduce traffic to original publishers and content creators. When Google’s AI summarizes information directly in search results, users often don’t click through to the source websites. This creates economic pressure on news sites, educational resources, and specialized publications that invest time and expertise in creating high-quality content.
For the broader web ecosystem, this trend threatens the sustainability of independent content creation. Publishers report substantial drops in organic traffic since the rollout of AI overviews, potentially leading to reduced investment in original research and journalism that feeds the very sources AI systems depend on.
User Experience Issues
Many users find that AI overviews slow down their search experience, particularly on mobile devices or slower internet connections. The time required to generate AI responses can add noticeable delays compared to traditional search results that appear instantly.
Additionally, the visual clutter of AI-generated content pushes traditional search results lower on the page. Power users and researchers often prefer the direct access to multiple sources that traditional “ten blue links” provide, rather than having information pre-filtered through an AI intermediary.
Quick Methods to Remove AI from Google Search
Before diving into permanent solutions, several immediate methods can help you bypass AI overviews in your Google searches. These techniques work across different devices and browsers, providing quick relief when you need clean search results right away.
URL Parameter Method
The most reliable quick fix involves adding the parameter “&udm=14” to any Google search URL. This forces Google to display web-only results, completely bypassing the ai overview feature. For example, if you search for “climate change research,” you can manually add “&udm=14” to the end of the URL in your address bar to see traditional search results.
This method works because the udm=14 parameter tells Google’s servers to return only traditional web listings, similar to clicking the web tab but more consistently applied. While Google hasn’t officially documented this parameter, it has remained functional and represents one of the most effective ways to disable ai overviews temporarily.
Web Tab Filter
Google often displays a “web” tab near the top of search results pages that filters out AI generated content. Clicking this tab after performing a search will show you more traditional search results without AI summaries. However, this web tab doesn’t always appear and may revert to showing AI content when you perform new searches.
Query Modification Techniques
Adding “-AI” to the end of your search queries can sometimes prompt Google to deprioritize AI overviews and focus on traditional results. While not as reliable as URL parameters, this method requires no technical setup and can be particularly effective for certain types of searches.
How to Disable Google AI on Desktop Browsers
For users who want a permanent solution to get rid of AI search, configuring your desktop browser to automatically bypass AI overviews provides the most seamless experience. This involves creating custom search engines that automatically apply the web-only filter to every search.
Chrome Setup Instructions
The most effective approach involves creating a custom search engine in Chrome that automatically includes the udm=14 parameter. Here’s the step-by-step process:
First, open chrome and navigate to chrome settings by typing “chrome://settings/searchEngines” in your address bar. This takes you directly to the search engine manage section where you can create custom search engines.
Click the add button next to “Site search” to create a new search engine. In the dialog that appears, fill in the following details:
Name: “Google Web” (or any name you prefer)
Shortcut: “gw” (optional, for quick access)
The “%s” placeholder will be replaced with your search query, while “&udm=14” ensures every search bypasses ai overviews. After creating this custom search engine, click the three dots menu next to it and select “Make default” to ensure all address bar searches use this configuration.
This setup means every time you search from the address bar, Chrome will automatically add the web filter parameter, giving you traditional search results without any ai generated content.
Firefox Configuration
Firefox offers similar functionality for creating custom search engines, though the process differs slightly. Firefox users can access the search engine settings through the main settings menu under “Search.”
In Firefox, you can manually add search engines by visiting the search preferences and adding a new search engine with the URL format “https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14”. Firefox mobile also supports these custom search engine modifications, making it particularly attractive for users who want consistency across devices.
The advantage of Firefox’s approach is that it supports these customizations on both desktop and mobile versions, providing a unified experience regardless of device.
Mobile Solutions for Android and iOS
Mobile browsers present unique challenges for users wanting to disable ai overviews, as most don’t support custom search engine URLs directly. However, several workarounds provide effective solutions for both Android and iOS users.
OpenSearch XML Method
The website tenbluelinks.org provides an elegant solution using OpenSearch XML technology. This method allows mobile browsers to automatically register a new “google web” search engine that includes the udm=14 parameter.
When you visit tenbluelinks.org on your mobile device, the site offers to add a “Google Web” search engine to your browser. This process uses open-source XML code that’s publicly auditable, ensuring transparency and security. Importantly, your searches still go directly to Google – the third-party site doesn’t intercept or process your search queries.
Android Chrome Workaround
Chrome on Android doesn’t normally allow manual custom search engine configuration, but the OpenSearch method provides a viable alternative. After visiting tenbluelinks.org and adding the “Google Web” search engine, you can select google web as your default search engine in Chrome’s settings.
This approach maintains the same privacy and security as searching Google directly while automatically filtering out ai overviews from all your mobile searches.
iOS Safari and Chrome
Both Safari and Chrome on iOS can use the OpenSearch XML file method from tenbluelinks.org. The process involves visiting the site, following the browser prompts to add the search engine, and then selecting it as your default option in browser settings.
iOS users particularly benefit from this approach because Apple’s mobile browsers have limited customization options compared to desktop versions. The OpenSearch method provides the functionality of custom search engines without requiring complex technical configuration.
Browser Extensions to Block Google AI
For users who prefer automated solutions, browser extensions offer the most comprehensive approach to eliminating AI overviews from Google search results. These tools work silently in the background, requiring no manual intervention once installed.
Popular Extension Options
The “Bye, Bye Google AI” extension has gained significant popularity. This browser extension works across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, automatically hiding AI Mode tabs and other Gemini integrations. Version 1.5 supports 19 languages and provides consistent performance across different locales.
For power users, uBlock Origin can be configured with custom filters that target specific HTML elements associated with ai overviews. This approach requires more technical knowledge but offers granular control over which AI elements to block. The filters need regular updates as Google changes its interface structure, but they provide robust, customizable blocking capabilities.
Installation and Configuration
Installing these extensions follows standard browser procedures. For “Bye, Bye Google AI,” simply visit your browser’s extension store, search for the extension, and click install. The extension works immediately without requiring additional configuration.
For uBlock Origin users, custom filters can be added through the extension’s dashboard. Advanced users can create specific rules that target ai generated content while preserving other Google features they want to keep.
Alternative Search Strategies
Beyond modifying Google’s behavior, users have increasingly turned to alternative search engines that don’t emphasize AI-generated summaries. These platforms offer different approaches to information discovery while maintaining focus on traditional search results.
Privacy-Focused Search Engines
DuckDuckGo has emerged as a popular alternative, offering strict anti-tracking policies and minimal AI integration. While DuckDuckGo includes its own DuckAssist feature, it operates less obtrusively than Google’s ai overviews and can be more easily avoided.
Brave Search operates independently with its own search index, differentiating itself from both Google and Bing. This independence means it’s not subject to the same AI integration pressures that affect search engines relying on third-party results.
Traditional Search Techniques
Power users can leverage traditional search operators to maintain precise control over results regardless of the platform. Techniques like using “site:” to search specific domains or “filetype:” to find particular document types provide granular control that works across most search engines.
These operators often bypass AI systems entirely because they specify exact matching criteria rather than relying on AI interpretation of user intent.
Technical Details and Limitations
Understanding the technical aspects of these solutions helps users choose the most appropriate method for their needs while being aware of potential limitations.
URL Parameter Functionality
The udm=14 parameter works by instructing Google’s servers to return only traditional web results, essentially mimicking the effect of clicking the web tab but applying it automatically. This parameter has remained stable since its discovery, though Google could theoretically modify or remove this functionality in future updates.
Because this parameter isn’t officially documented by Google, users should be prepared for potential changes. However, the widespread adoption of this workaround within the technical community suggests it’s likely to remain functional for the foreseeable future.
Browser Compatibility
Different browsers offer varying levels of support for custom search engines and extensions. Desktop browsers generally provide the most flexibility, while mobile browsers often require workarounds like the OpenSearch XML method.
Method | Desktop Chrome | Desktop Firefox | Mobile Chrome | Mobile Safari | Effectiveness |
Custom search engine | Excellent | Excellent | Limited | Limited | Very High |
Browser extension | Excellent | Excellent | Limited | Not Available | Very High |
OpenSearch XML | Good | Good | Good | Good | High |
URL parameter | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | High |
Web tab clicking | Good | Good | Good | Good | Medium |
Extension Limitations
Browser extensions can break when Google updates its search interface or changes the underlying HTML structure. Extensions typically receive regular updates to maintain compatibility, but users may experience temporary periods where AI overviews appear until extensions are updated.
Additionally, extensions only work in browsers where they’re installed and may not sync across devices unless specifically configured to do so.
Maintaining AI-Free Search Experience
Successfully eliminating ai overviews from your search experience often requires combining multiple methods and staying informed about changes to Google’s platform.
Multi-Method Approach
The most reliable strategy involves implementing several methods simultaneously. For example, setting up a custom search engine in your primary browser while also installing a backup extension ensures you have redundancy if one method stops working.
Mobile users particularly benefit from this approach, as they can use the OpenSearch method for default searching while keeping the manual URL parameter technique available for situations where automatic filtering doesn’t work.
Staying Updated
Google continues to evolve its AI integration, potentially affecting existing workarounds. Following technical communities, search-focused forums, and browser extension update notes helps users stay informed about new methods or changes to existing techniques.
The community around traditional search has grown significantly since AI overviews launched, creating a collaborative environment where new solutions are quickly shared and tested.
Conclusion
Getting rid of Google’s AI search doesn’t require technical expertise or compromise your search experience. Whether you prefer the simplicity of adding URL parameters, the automation of browser extensions, or the comprehensive approach of custom search engines, multiple proven methods can restore traditional search results to your browsing experience.
The key is choosing the combination of methods that works best for your devices and usage patterns. Desktop users have the most options, with custom search engines providing the most seamless experience. Mobile users can achieve similar results through OpenSearch XML or by using Firefox, which supports custom search engine configuration across all platforms.
As AI continues to evolve in search engines, the community of users preferring traditional results continues to develop and share new solutions. By implementing these methods and staying connected with ongoing developments, you can maintain control over your search experience while accessing the precise, unfiltered information that powers effective research and decision-making.
