If you've searched Google recently, you've likely encountered AI Overviews—short, AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results. While these summaries aim to provide quick answers, many users find them distracting, and they often steer clicks away from publishers who create the original content. Worse, AI Overviews can sometimes be flat-out wrong, as seen in 2024 when Google's AI suggested using glue to keep pizza cheese from sliding off.

Fortunately, you don't have to tolerate them. Although Google hasn't provided an official toggle to disable AI Overviews, there are several proven workarounds. Below, we outline four easy methods to restore classic search results on desktop and mobile.

Why AI Overviews matter

AI Overviews are powered by Google's Gemini AI and were launched in the US in May 2024. They now appear in more than 200 countries and territories, in over 40 languages. The summaries are generated by scraping content from websites—including news outlets, blogs, and review sites—often without sending users to those sources. A 2025 Pew Research Center study tracked 900 US adults and found that when an AI Overview appears, users click a traditional search link only 8% of the time, compared to 15% when no summary is shown. About 58% of adults saw at least one AI Overview, and only 1% of those who saw one clicked a cited source. Many users simply stop browsing after reading the AI summary, which has a devastating impact on publishers who rely on search traffic.

Beyond economics, the accuracy of these summaries remains questionable. The glue-pizza incident was just one high-profile error. In other cases, AI Overviews have generated misleading health advice, misattributed quotes, or fabricated facts. This has led to growing frustration among users who prefer the transparency of classic blue links and the ability to judge sources themselves.

Method 1: Use the '-AI' search modifier

The simplest and fastest way to bypass AI Overviews is to add -AI to the end of any search query. This works on both desktop and mobile (including the Google app). For example, searching "how to clear iPhone cache -AI" will return standard results without the AI summary at the top.

Steps:

• Open your browser or Google app and go to google.com.
• Type your query followed by a space and -AI.
• Press Enter or search.
• You'll see classic blue links, often with featured snippets (which are not AI-generated and include prominent source links).

This method works because Google's algorithm treats "-AI" as a negative keyword, suppressing any AI-related features. It's quick, requires no settings changes, and works universally. The only caveat is that you must remember to type the modifier each time.

Method 2: Enable Web Guide mode (desktop only)

Google Search has introduced a new experimental feature called Web Guide as part of Search Labs. When enabled, Web Guide reorganizes search results to prioritize classic links while still including AI-generated elements further down the page. This gives you the best of both worlds: quick access to traditional links and the option to see AI summaries if you scroll.

Steps:

• Sign into your Google account and visit Search Labs (labs.google.com/search).
• Find the Web Guide experiment and toggle it on.
• Make sure the "Try the new AI-organized web results" option is enabled.
• Perform any search on desktop. Under the "Web" tab (alongside All, Images, Videos, etc.), you'll see links first, with AI summaries below.

Web Guide is still a test and may not roll out widely. It's currently limited to desktop users. If you prefer a more traditional experience without any AI summaries, you might skip this method and use one of the others.

Method 3: Use Google's Web tab

Google's Web tab (often hidden under the "More" menu) shows pure, classic search results with no AI Overviews whatsoever. To avoid having to manually click the Web tab every time, you can create a custom site search shortcut in Chrome (or Firefox/Edge) that automatically directs all address-bar searches to the Web tab.

Steps for Chrome:

• Open Chrome and go to Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search.
• Under Site search, click Add.
• Enter:
  • Name: Google (Web)
  • Shortcut: https://www.google.com/
  • URL: {google:baseURL}search?udm=14&q=%s
• Click Add. Then, next to your new entry, click the three-dot menu and select Make default.

Now, every search you type in the address bar will automatically use the Web filter, completely bypassing AI Overviews. The same pattern works in Firefox and Edge, and Firefox even supports it on mobile. Note: Do not enable Web Guide if you want the pure Web tab experience, as Web Guide modifies the Web tab to include AI summaries below links.

Method 4: Install a browser extension

Several browser extensions can hide AI Overviews from Google Search. One popular example is "Hide AI Overviews" or "Bye Bye, Google AI". These extensions simply remove the AI summary panel from view—the underlying data is still there, but you never see it. They work on Chrome and Microsoft Edge (desktop only).

Steps:

• Go to the Chrome Web Store (or Edge Add-ons store).
• Search for "Hide AI Overviews" or a similar extension.
• Click Add to Chrome and confirm the installation.
• Reload any Google Search page. The AI summary will be gone.

Extensions are a set-and-forget solution, but they only work on desktop browsers. Also, be cautious about security—stick to extensions with good reviews and minimal permissions. Periodically review your installed extensions to avoid potential privacy risks.

FAQs about AI Overviews

What are Google AI Overviews and where are they available?

AI Overviews are Gemini-powered summaries that appear at the top of Google Search results. They aim to provide immediate answers by pulling information from multiple sources. As of 2025, they are available in over 200 countries and territories and support more than 40 languages.

Can I disable AI Overviews permanently?

No. Google has not provided an official setting to turn off AI Overviews. The methods above are workarounds that hide or avoid the feature. They are the only known solutions as of mid-2025.

What's the difference between the Web tab and Web Guide mode?

The Web tab is the classic Google search experience with no AI summaries—just blue links. Web Guide, an experimental feature, still uses AI to organize results but places AI summaries below a few initial links. The Web tab is available to everyone; Web Guide must be activated via Search Labs.

Are there alternative search engines without AI?

Yes. DuckDuckGo, Dogpile, and Metacrawler are alternatives that generally avoid AI summaries. DuckDuckGo does offer an AI assistant, but it can be disabled. If you prefer a purely algorithmic search, these are good options.

Which method should I use?

It depends on your preference. The -AI modifier is the quickest and works everywhere. For a permanent solution on desktop, create a custom Web tab shortcut or install an extension. On mobile, the -AI modifier or using a browser that supports custom search engines (like Firefox) are your best bets.

Ultimately, while Google continues to push AI into search, these four methods let you take back control of your browsing experience. By using these workarounds, you can support publishers, avoid misinformation, and enjoy the straightforward, link-based search that made Google a household name.

Source: ZDNET News