Google’s AI Overviews appear at the top of many search results, giving an AI-generated summary before the regular links. Some people find them handy. Others find them slow, distracting or occasionally wrong, and simply want the classic list of websites. Google does not offer a simple off switch for AI Overviews in normal search, but there are reliable ways to hide them or avoid them entirely. This guide explains every method that works on computers and phones in 2026 and beyond.
Can you turn off AI Overviews completely?
There is no official setting in your Google account that permanently disables AI Overviews in the main All results tab. Google Labs settings used to control some experimental AI features, but AI Overviews are now a standard part of Search. What you can do is:
| Method | Works on | Removes AI Overviews | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Click the Web filter | All devices | Yes, for that search | Low |
| udm=14 custom search engine | Chrome, Edge, Firefox on desktop | Yes, every search | Medium, one time setup |
| Browser extension | Desktop browsers | Hides them visually | Low |
| Add -ai or other tricks | All devices | Inconsistent | Low |
| Use a different search engine | All devices | Yes | Low |
Method 1: Use the Web filter
Google added a Web filter that shows only text links, without AI Overviews, knowledge panels or other extras.
- Search Google as usual.
- Under the search box, look for the tabs All, Images, Videos, News and so on.
- Tap More if needed and choose Web.
You will see a clean list of website links. The downside is that you have to choose it for each search.
Method 2: Make the Web filter your default with udm=14
The Web filter uses a URL parameter, udm=14. You can create a custom search engine in your browser that always adds it.
In Chrome or Edge:
- Go to Settings, Search engine, Manage search engines and site search.
- Next to Site search, click Add.
- Name: Google Web. Shortcut: gw. URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14
- Save, then click the three dots next to the new entry and choose Make default.
Now every search from your address bar goes straight to Google’s Web results without AI Overviews.
In Firefox: Right-click the address bar after visiting the search URL or use an add-on to add a custom engine with the same URL, then set it as default in Settings, Search.
Method 3: Use a browser extension
Several extensions hide AI Overviews automatically on desktop browsers. Search the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons for extensions that hide Google AI Overviews, check their reviews and permissions, and install one you trust. Extensions simply hide the box on the page, so Google still generates it in the background.
Method 4: Try a different search engine
If you prefer search results without AI summaries, alternatives include DuckDuckGo (which lets you turn its AI answers off in settings), Startpage, Brave Search (with AI summaries that can be disabled), Ecosia and Bing. Each has different privacy and quality trade-offs.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official toggle to disable AI Overviews?
Not for the main results in most regions. Use the Web filter or udm=14.
Do AI Overviews appear for every search?
No. They appear mainly for informational questions, not for most navigational or shopping searches.
Does adding curse words or -ai remove AI Overviews?
Some tricks have worked temporarily, but they are unreliable and change often.
How to avoid AI Overviews on Android and iPhone
Phones are trickier because the Google app does not let you change the search URL. Options include:
- Use the Web tab after each search in the Google app or browser.
- Set a custom search engine in your mobile browser. Firefox for Android and some other browsers let you add a custom search engine with the udm=14 URL and make it default.
- Use Chrome on Android with a bookmark. Create a bookmark or home screen shortcut to google.com/search?udm=14&q= and search from there.
- On iPhone Safari, you cannot add custom engines directly, but you can switch the default search engine to DuckDuckGo, Bing or Ecosia in Settings, Apps, Safari, Search Engine, or use a Safari extension that redirects Google searches to the Web view.
- Use a different search app if you prefer results without AI summaries.
Why some people want to turn off AI Overviews
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Accuracy concerns | AI summaries can occasionally misread sources or combine facts incorrectly |
| Speed | The page can take longer to load while the summary is generated |
| Prefer original sources | Many people want to read experts, forums or official pages directly |
| Screen space | On phones, the overview can push links far down the page |
| Supporting websites | Some users want to click through to publishers who create the content |
| Research and work | Professionals often need source links, not summaries |
Why AI Overviews can still be useful
To be fair, AI Overviews help in some situations. They give quick answers to simple questions, summarize multiple sources and link to the sites they used. A good approach is to treat them as a starting point and always check the linked sources for anything important, especially health, money and legal topics.
Does the Web filter remove other features too?
Yes. The Web view shows plain text links, so you will also lose some extras like featured snippets, People also ask boxes, image carousels, maps and shopping panels. Ads may still appear. If you need maps or images, switch back to the All tab or the specific tab for that search.
How to turn off AI features in other Google products
| Product | Option |
|---|---|
| Gmail | Turn off smart features and personalization in Gmail settings if you prefer fewer AI suggestions |
| Chrome | Manage AI features in Settings, AI innovations or similar sections where available |
| Google Docs | Ignore or close the Help me write panel |
| Android | Choose your preferred assistant in Settings, Apps, Default apps, Digital assistant app |
Options change frequently as Google updates its products, so check settings every few months.
Step-by-step: test that it worked
After setting up the udm=14 search engine, type a question like how long to boil an egg in your address bar. If you see a simple list of website links with no AI summary at the top and the Web tab highlighted, it is working. If you still see AI Overviews, make sure the new engine is set as default and that you are not searching from the Google homepage or the Google app, which ignore your browser default.
Comparing search engines without forced AI summaries
| Search engine | AI summaries | Can turn off AI | Privacy focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google (Web filter) | Hidden in Web view | Per search or via udm=14 | Standard | Best index, needs setup |
| DuckDuckGo | Optional AI answers | Yes, in settings | High | No tracking, clean results |
| Startpage | No | Not needed | High | Shows Google results privately |
| Brave Search | Optional summaries | Yes | High | Independent index |
| Bing | Copilot answers | Partly | Standard | Strong image and video search |
| Ecosia | Limited | Partly | Medium | Uses profits to plant trees |
Tips for getting better classic search results
- Put exact phrases in quotes, such as “statement balance”.
- Use site: to search one website, for example site:whatdoesmeanz.com chargeback.
- Add a minus sign to exclude words, such as jaguar -car.
- Use the Tools menu to filter results by date when you want recent information.
- Add the word reddit or forum to find real user discussions.
- Use filetype:pdf to find documents and guides.
These operators work in the Web view too, so you can combine them with udm=14 for focused, AI-free research.
Real examples
The researcher. Priya, a university student, needed original sources for an essay. She set udm=14 as her default in Chrome and now sees only website links, saving her from scrolling past summaries.
The parent. David noticed his son copying answers from AI Overviews for homework. He switched the family computer’s default search to the Web view so his son had to read and cite real sources.
The phone user. Grace found AI Overviews filled her small screen. She switched Safari’s default search engine to DuckDuckGo with AI answers turned off and kept Google only for maps and local searches.
Will Google add an off switch?
Google has said AI Overviews are a core part of Search, so a full off switch is not expected soon. However, the Web filter is an official Google feature, which means the udm=14 method is likely to keep working. Search features change often, so if a method stops working, check the Web tab first, since that remains the most reliable way to see classic results. Keep your browser updated, review your default search engine after updates, and revisit this guide for the latest working methods.
The bottom line
To turn off AI Overviews in Google Search, click the Web filter, or set google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14 as your default search engine for permanent results without AI. Extensions and alternative search engines are other options. For more Chrome tips, see how to block websites on Chrome and our guide to the best AI chatbots for 2027.