Artificial Intelligence has quietly entered our search experience, and not everyone likes it. If you have landed on this page, I can feel your pain. Even I don’t like Google AI overview. Most of my friends ask me how to turn off AI overview Google. Before I tell you the solution, let’s learn what this AI overview is.
Google recently rolled out AI Overview, an experimental feature that gives AI-generated answers at the top of your search results. While it can be helpful, many users find these summaries inaccurate or unnecessary. If you prefer traditional results, you can turn off AI Overview Google in a few simple ways.
Let’s go step-by-step and then understand why Google AI answers can sometimes go wrong.
How To Turn Off AI Overview Google
1. Turn It Off in Google Search Labs
Open Google Search on desktop (or the Google app). Tap the Labs beaker icon in the top right corner. You’ll see an option called “AI Overviews and more.” Toggle it off.
If you don’t see the option, it means Google hasn’t made it available in your region yet. In that case, try the next steps.
2. Use the “Web” Filter While Searching
Whenever you perform a search, you’ll notice tabs like “All,” “Images,” “News,” and now “Web.” Tap on Web, it removes the AI Overview and shows the classic blue-link results.
This method doesn’t completely disable the feature, but it hides AI summaries for that particular search. It’s quick, simple, and works across most devices.
3. Set “Google Web” As Your Default Search
If you always want text-only results, you can make the “Web” view your default.
Go to your browser settings and change your default search engine to Google Web instead of regular Google. You’ll instantly skip AI answers and see the clean search layout you’re used to.
4. Create a Custom Search Shortcut
For Chrome users, there’s another trick.
- Go to Settings → Search Engine → Manage Search Engines → Add.
- Under “URL,” paste the web-only Google link (you can easily find it online).
- Now, whenever you type a keyword shortcut like “gw,” Chrome will automatically open Web-only results, no Google AI overview in sight.
5. Try Browser Extensions to Block AI Overview
Developers have already released extensions such as “Hide Google AI Overview.”
Once added to your browser, these extensions automatically remove the AI box from your search results. They’re handy if you want a permanent fix without diving into settings each time.
6. Use Another Search Engine (Optional)
If none of these steps work because your account doesn’t yet support toggling AI Overview, you can switch to a different engine temporarily. DuckDuckGo, Brave, and Bing offer traditional search experiences without AI summaries. It’s not ideal, but it gives you more control over what you read.
Why Google AI Answers Can Be Wrong
Turning it off isn’t just about personal preference; it’s about reliability. Many users have noticed that Google AI answers sometimes give completely wrong or misleading information. Here’s why.
1. It Predicts Text, Not Truth
Google’s AI Overview relies on large language models (LLMs). These models don’t understand facts; they predict what text looks statistically correct. So, they may “hallucinate” or fabricate information. That’s why some AI summaries sound confident but deliver incorrect or even absurd results.
2. It Pulls Data From Random Blogs
Unlike verified news or academic sources, AI Overview gathers information from different websites, including personal blogs, Reddit discussions, and opinion pieces. If one of those sources is inaccurate, the AI can easily spread that misinformation.
For example, a joke post once led to Google AI suggesting that people should “add glue to pizza sauce.” It highlights how quickly non-authentic blogs can distort automated results. Source: Business Insider. It has corrected the mistake now.
3. It Can Misunderstand Context
AI doesn’t always interpret tone or sarcasm correctly. A satirical post or outdated article may appear relevant to the algorithm but can mislead readers. That’s why relying completely on Google AI overview results for health, finance, or legal queries can be risky.
4. It Lacks Human Verification
Even though Google continues to refine its AI, the process still lacks human review for every query. That means wrong or harmful content may appear briefly before being corrected. The system improves over time, but users need to stay alert and double-check facts from trusted sources.
How To Stay Smart While Searching
- Always cross-check important facts from two or more credible sites.
- Prefer the “Web” tab for topics that need verified data.
- Avoid taking Google AI answers at face value.
- Read directly from official websites or research papers whenever possible.
- Remember, AI is a tool, not a replacement for human judgment.
Conclusion
AI is shaping how we search, but it’s still learning. While Google AI overview aims to simplify search, it can sometimes oversimplify facts. Knowing how to turn off AI Overview Google helps you regain control of your search results. It ensures you see reliable, human-written sources first.
At GoToClan, we believe technology should empower users, not confuse them. Staying informed and choosing how you interact with AI features keeps your online experience smart, accurate, and meaningful.