How to Turn Off AI Overviews in Google Search (Step-by-Step Guide)

Are you among those who are tired of seeing AI-generated summaries cluttering the top of your Google search results? You’re not alone! Google’s AI Overviews are spreading globally, appearing in Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the list continues to grow.

Many other countries, for now, remains untouched by this change, which could be seen as a blessing or a curse depending on your perspective. However, in affected countries, escaping these AI-generated snippets has become increasingly difficult. Since the end of the testing phase, the option to disable AI Overviews has vanished, and these summaries now appear by default for nearly every query.

Thankfully, resourceful developers have created extensions to disable AI Overviews in Google Search, and they work remarkably well.

1. Hide Google AI Overviews: Simple, Effective, and Open Source

As its name suggests, this extension focuses on masking AI-generated summaries in Google Search. It works seamlessly on both Chrome and Firefox, and its code is open source, ensuring transparency and security.

Once installed, it operates discreetly. There are no options to configure or buttons to click. AI Overviews disappear from search results as if by magic. It’s simple, fast, and performs exactly as expected.

2. Bye Bye Google AI: Going a Step Further

Developed by Avram Piltch (Editor-in-Chief of Tom’s Hardware), the Bye Bye Google AI extension does more than just hide AI Overviews. It can also clean up other elements of the Google page, such as sponsored blocks, shopping results, videos, ads, and even the “AI Mode” tab for those who already have it.

Everything is customizable from the extension options and compatible with Chrome, Edge, and all browsers that accept Chrome extensions. Firefox is not yet supported, but a version is reportedly in the works.

Is There a Way Without Extensions? Yes!

Yes, there is an alternative solution: forcing Google to display only “classic” results, without AI, ads, video snippets, or shopping results. This can be achieved using a simple parameter: &udm=14.

This parameter activates the “Web” tab in Google Search, which displays only raw links, without the usual frills. The best part is that you can turn it into your default search engine, so you don’t have to add it manually each time.

On Chrome:

1. Open Chrome, click the three dots in the upper right corner, and then click Settings.
2. In the left menu, select “Search engine,” then “Manage search engines and site search.”
3. Click the “Add” button next to “Site search.”
4. Fill in the fields as follows:
   • Name: Google Web
   • Shortcut: google.com (or whatever you want)
   • URL: https://www.google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s
5. Click “Add.”
6. Finally, click the three dots to the right of the “Google Web” engine you just created, and then select “Make default.”

On Firefox:

The method is similar, even though the interface is a little different.

1. Open Firefox Settings.
2. Go to the “Search” tab.
3. Under the “Search Shortcuts” section, click “Add.”
4. Fill in:
   • Name: Google Web
   • Search URL: https://www.google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s
5. Click “Add search engine.”
6. Finally, set “Google Web” as the default engine if you wish.

And there you have it: a cleaner, more readable Google without AI summaries that pollute everything.

What About Mobile?

On a smartphone, it’s a bit more complicated to change the default search engine with this filter. But there is a solution: tenbluelinks.org. This site allows you to create a custom search engine that redirects directly to Google’s “Web” tab, without AI Overviews or other distractions.

You can add it to your home screen as an app and use it instead of Google to maintain a clean interface.

Conclusion:

By implementing these simple yet effective methods, you can banish Google AI Overviews and reclaim control over your search experience. Whether you prefer using extensions or customizing your search engine settings, a cleaner, more focused search is within reach. Say goodbye to AI clutter and hello to the information you’re actually looking for!