How to Turn Off Google's AI Overviews & Why Users Prefer It

Since its introduction, Google’s AI Overview has changed the way users interact with search results. It displayed AI-generated snippets (you can call them summaries, though) right at the top of the page. This feature has sparked mixed reactions among users—while some find it convenient, many prefer sticking to traditional search results for accuracy and control.

While some find this feature helpful for quick answers, many users are looking for ways to turn it off and return to traditional search results. For those who value direct links, trusted sources, and a clutter-free browsing experience, turning off AI Overviews becomes essential. Understanding how to turn it off not only gives users more choice but also highlights why many are leaning toward personalized, reliable search over AI-generated summaries.

What Is Google’s AI Overview?

Google AI Overview (formerly known as Search Generative Experience or SGE) offers instant, AI-generated summaries in response to your search queries. It is designed to deliver instant search results, aiming to simplify complex queries with concise explanations. It appears as a colorful box at the top of the page and includes:

A concise explanation or summary
Suggested follow-up questions
Source links (sometimes, not always)

While positioned as a time-saving feature, these overviews often reshape how users interact with information by prioritizing synthesized responses over direct access to original sources. However, this innovation also raises concerns about accuracy, content visibility, and user autonomy. Users often feel it creates a thin line that often blurs the balance between convenience and control in digital research. Some of them are also facing difficulties accessing in-depth sources or encountering factual errors while searching for information.

Why You Might Want to Turn It Off

Here are some common reasons people want to disable AI Overviews. Our experts have jotted down the reasons here. If you still find it difficult, you can take the help of our homework AI tool. This free AI homework helper assists you with research without stressing about turning off the Google overview feature.

Inaccurate or misleading summaries

Since these AI-generated responses are synthesized from multiple sources, they can lead to misinterpreted context. Sometimes, the resources present outdated information or even generate completely false claims. These errors not only misinform users but also raise questions about the reliability of AI. The poor handling of complex yet critical topics spreads misinformation in search results. Using this information lowers the quality of students’ academic assignments, negatively impacting their academic performance.

Decreased Access to Real Content

By placing AI-generated summaries at the top of search results, Google pushes organic links, blogs, articles, and trusted websites further down the page. It reduces the visibility of credible sources and limits their ability to explore diverse perspectives or in-depth information. Students often rely solely on condensed AI answers rather than engaging with original sources. It weakens research quality and critical thinking, especially in academic contexts.

Too much screen space is taken up by AI results

When Google AI pushes organic links, videos, and helpful forums far down the page, this makes it hard to scan and compare multiple sources quickly. The oversized AI summaries can feel intrusive and hinder search efficiency, forcing users to scroll more for actual web content. Following this process consumes precious study time and effort of students, which they should invest in their studies.

Cluttered Search Experience

Due to Google AI overviews, students often struggle to access the interface easily and retrieve accurate information relevant to their assignments. It makes their search experience cluttered and frustrating, especially when they are short on time. Overload of content fragments complicates the searching experience for students preferring a clean, research-focused layout. It becomes more like a digital billboard than a functional tool for exploration. It creates visual noise that also causes privacy concerns.

Raw search results and research-based information

Unlike AI-generated summaries that generalize information, raw results allow students to explore articles, studies, academic papers, and expert opinions in full context. It is essential for students who rely on accuracy, transparency, and the ability to verify facts. By engaging to provide the real content rather than AI interpretations, students get the ability to maintain control over their learning.

Critical Thinking Takes a Hit

Google’s AI Overviews can negatively impact critical thinking in students by encouraging passive consumption of information rather than active engagement. Due to instant answering, students are less likely to explore multiple sources, question perspectives, or analyze the topic’s complexities. It undermines essential academic skills, including research and critical thinking. Constant reliance on AI overviews can weaken students’ problem-solving abilities.

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How to Turn Off Google’s AI Overview

If you’re one of those users who prefer exploring content from actual websites rather than AI-generated snippets, here’s what you need to know: how you can regain control over your search experience.

Currently, Google does not offer a direct toggle to disable AI Overviews for all users permanently. However, here are a few workarounds you can use to turn off the Google AI overview:

1. Use a Different Google Domain

Visit https://www.google.com/search?udm=14
This forces Google to show the “Web” tab, which hides AI Overviews and displays only classic web results.
You can even bookmark this version of Google and use it as your default.

2. Switch to the “Web” Tab Manually

On desktop or mobile, when the AI Overview appears:

Tap the “Web” tab under the search bar (next to “All” or “Images”).
This view is free from AI-generated content and shows only traditional links.

3. Use an Alternative Search Engine

If Google’s AI results aren’t your style, try alternatives:

DuckDuckGo (Privacy-focused, no AI answers)– DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that delivers clean, ad-free results without tracking users or using AI-generated summaries.

Brave Search (An AI-free mode)– An independent, privacy-first search engine that offers AI-free search results and an optional “Goggles” feature to customize how results are ranked.

Kagi (Premium, privacy-focused search engine) – Kagi offers a clear and ad-free experience with customizable search results. It gives you full control over how much AI influences search experience.

Bing (with AI Off) – Copilot feature offers quick summaries and chatbot-style responses. Customization allows smooth switching between traditional search and AI-enhanced interactions.

4. Disable SGE (If Enrolled in Labs)

If you’re using Google Labs features like Search Generative Experience:

Visit Google Labs
Find Search Labs
Toggle off SGE or any AI-related experiment

5. Use a Browser Extension

There are third-party extensions that hide AI content:

uBlock Origin – Add custom filters to block the AI box
Google AI Blocker (Chrome/Firefox) – Specific add-ons designed to remove AI Overviews

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while Google’s AI Overviews can simplify information gathering, many users still prefer the clarity, reliability, and control of traditional search results. Turning off this feature empowers users to navigate the web on their terms, ensuring they access trusted sources directly without unnecessary AI filters. While a permanent “off” switch doesn’t exist yet, these solutions will help you get back to the classic Google experience—one web result at a time. Ultimately, the choice reflects a growing demand for transparency and personalization in how we consume information online.

What Is Google’s AI Overview?