How to Disable Google AI Overviews and Restore Classic Search Results

Google Search has undergone its most significant transformation in a decade with the wide-scale rollout of AI Overviews. Previously known as the Search Generative Experience (SGE), this feature places an AI-generated summary at the very top of search results, pushing the traditional list of "blue links" further down the page. While intended to provide quick answers, many users find these summaries intrusive, occasionally inaccurate, and a distraction from direct source material.

Currently, Google does not provide a single "off" switch within its account settings to permanently disable AI Overviews across all devices. However, several highly effective workarounds can hide these summaries or force Google to display only traditional web results. This guide details the most reliable methods for desktop and mobile users to reclaim a classic search experience.

The Immediate Fix: Using the Official Web Filter

The most straightforward way to bypass AI-generated content is to use Google's own "Web" filter. Recognizing that a segment of the user base prefers the classic interface, Google introduced this specific tab to filter out AI summaries, snippets, and other rich result features.

When a search query triggers an AI Overview, look at the filter bar directly below the search box (where "Images," "News," and "Videos" are located). If "Web" is not visible, click the "More" button to reveal it. Selecting "Web" will instantly reload the page, removing the AI block and presenting a clean list of organic search results.

The primary limitation of this method is its lack of persistence. Users must manually click the "Web" tab for every new search, which can be cumbersome for power users who perform dozens of queries a day. For those seeking a "set it and forget it" solution, more technical adjustments are required.

The Most Effective Method: The udm=14 Search Engine Hack

For desktop users, the most robust way to disable AI Overviews permanently is to create a custom search engine in your browser that utilizes a specific URL parameter: &udm=14.

Technically, udm=14 is a command that tells Google's servers to return results from the "Web" corpus specifically, effectively stripping away the AI-generated layer. By making this the default search engine, every query typed into your browser’s address bar (omnibox) will bypass the AI Overview by default.

Configuring Google Chrome for AI-Free Search

Chrome allows users to manage search engines with high precision. To implement the AI-free hack, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Chrome Settings by clicking the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and selecting "Settings."
2. On the left-hand sidebar, click on "Search engine."
3. Select "Manage search engines and site search."
4. Scroll down to the "Site search" section and click the "Add" button.
5. In the "Name" field, enter "Google Classic" or "Google (No AI)."
6. In the "Shortcut" field, type a trigger word like @google.
7. In the "URL with %s in place of query" field, paste the following exactly: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14
8. Click "Save."
9. Find your newly created "Google Classic" entry in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select "Make default."

Once completed, any search performed through the address bar will automatically append the udm=14 parameter, delivering a result page consisting solely of traditional links.

Implementing the Fix in Microsoft Edge

Since Microsoft Edge is built on the Chromium engine, the process is remarkably similar to Chrome:

1. Open Edge and go to "Settings" > "Privacy, search, and services."
2. Scroll to the very bottom and click on "Address bar and search."
3. Click "Manage search engines."
4. Click "Add" and fill in the details:
   • Search engine: Google (Web)
   • Shortcut: google.com
   • URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14
5. After adding, click the three dots and choose "Make default."

Setting Up AI-Free Search in Mozilla Firefox

Firefox users can achieve the same result, though the interface differs:

1. Open Firefox Settings and navigate to the "Search" tab.
2. Scroll down to "Search Shortcuts."
3. Firefox does not always allow direct editing of default URLs through the GUI as easily as Chromium. You may need to install an add-on like "Add Custom Search Engine" or use the browser's about:config editor to modify the search string.
4. If using an add-on, set the search URL to https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14.

How to Disable AI Overviews on Mobile Devices

Mobile browsers like Safari on iOS and Chrome on Android are more restrictive regarding custom search engine URLs. There is no direct "Settings" menu in the mobile Chrome app that allows for the easy addition of a custom URL string with parameters. However, there are two effective ways to manage this on the go.

The Search Engine Recognition Trick

A clever workaround involves visiting a specific URL that browser apps recognize as a search engine provider.

1. Open your mobile browser and navigate to a site that offers an AI-free Google search link (some community-driven tools provide a pre-configured udm=14 landing page).
2. Once you perform a search through such a page, your browser often "learns" this as a recently used search engine.
3. Go into your mobile browser's settings (e.g., Settings > Search Engine in Chrome for Android).
4. Look for a "Recently visited" or "Other" section. If the AI-free version appears there, select it as your default.

Manual URL Modification

If you are using a mobile browser and want to quickly remove an AI block from a specific search, you can tap the address bar after the results load. Scroll to the very end of the URL and type &udm=14 then hit enter. This will reload the search in the "Web" view. While not a permanent fix, it is the fastest way to verify information when the AI summary seems questionable.

Using Browser Extensions for a Cleaner Interface

For users who do not want to tinker with search engine parameters, browser extensions provide a "plug-and-play" alternative. Several developers have released open-source tools specifically designed to identify and hide the AI Overview div element on Google's search result pages.

Popular options like "Hide Google AI Overviews" or "Bye Bye, Google AI" work by injecting a small piece of CSS or JavaScript into the page that specifically targets the ID or class associated with the AI summary box.

Pros and Cons of Extensions

• Pros: Extremely easy to install; often includes additional features like hiding "People Also Ask" or "Sponsored Results."
• Cons: Extensions require permissions to read and change data on the websites you visit, which may be a privacy concern for some. Furthermore, if Google updates its page code (e.g., changing the CSS class names), the extension may stop working until the developer releases an update.

When choosing an extension, it is critical to select one with a high number of positive reviews and a transparent privacy policy. Avoid extensions that require unnecessary permissions unrelated to modifying search results.

The Search Labs Method: Why It Is Not a Total Solution

Early in the rollout of generative AI, users could toggle "Search Generative Experience" (SGE) on or off through Google Search Labs (the flask icon). Many guides still suggest this as the primary way to disable AI Overviews.

However, as of 2024, AI Overviews have transitioned from an "experimental" feature to a "core" feature of Google Search. Turning off the toggle in Search Labs only prevents the most experimental versions of AI results from appearing. It does not stop the standard AI Overviews that Google deems "helpful" for specific queries. Therefore, relying on Search Labs is no longer a viable way to completely opt out of the AI experience.

Why Do Many Users Want to Disable AI Overviews?

The pushback against AI Overviews isn't just about a resistance to change; it stems from several practical concerns regarding the utility and reliability of search.

Accuracy and Hallucinations

AI models, including Google's Gemini, are prone to "hallucinations"—generating information that sounds confident but is factually incorrect. In the early days of AI Overviews, high-profile errors (such as suggesting users put glue on pizza or eat rocks) highlighted the risks of relying on a summary rather than primary sources. For researchers, medical queries, or financial planning, the stakes of inaccuracy are too high to trust an automated summary.

Pushing Down Authoritative Sources

The AI Overview box is large, often taking up the entire "above the fold" area on both desktop and mobile screens. This forces users to scroll significantly to find actual websites. For many, this feels like an unnecessary barrier between the user and the expert content they were looking for.

Impact on the Web Ecosystem

There is also a broader ethical concern. By summarizing content from websites directly on the search page, Google may reduce the "click-through rate" (CTR) to the very sites that provided the information. If users get their answer from the AI summary and never visit the original article, the content creators lose the traffic and revenue necessary to continue their work. Disabling AI Overviews is, for some, a way to support the open web by ensuring they interact directly with publishers.

Alternative Search Engines for a Classic Experience

If the workarounds for Google become too tedious, switching to an alternative search engine is the most definitive way to avoid AI-generated summaries.

1. DuckDuckGo: Known for privacy, DuckDuckGo provides a traditional search experience. While it has introduced some AI features, they are significantly less intrusive and easier to ignore than Google’s.
2. Startpage: This engine is unique because it delivers Google’s search results but strips away the tracking and the AI Overview interface. It is essentially "Google without the baggage."
3. Brave Search: Built by the creators of the Brave browser, this engine uses its own independent index and offers a toggle to enable or disable its "Answer Engine" (AI) features.

Summary of Methods to Disable AI Overviews

Conclusion

While Google has integrated AI deeply into its search architecture, users still retain control over how they consume information. There is no official "off" switch because AI Overviews are central to Google's strategy to compete in the age of generative artificial intelligence. However, by utilizing the udm=14 parameter or browser extensions, you can effectively bypass these summaries and return to the classic, link-based search engine that defined the internet for decades.

For most users, setting up a custom search engine with the udm=14 string is the gold standard. It requires only a few minutes of configuration and ensures that every search is fast, accurate, and free from AI-generated noise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off AI Overviews in the Google app?

Currently, there is no setting in the Google app for iOS or Android to disable AI Overviews. The best workaround is to use the "Web" filter after a search or switch to using Google through a mobile browser where you can apply the udm=14 hack or use an alternative search engine.

Does adding "-ai" to my search query work?

Adding -ai to your query can sometimes prevent the AI Overview from appearing because it tells the algorithm you are looking for results that specifically exclude the term "AI." However, this is not 100% reliable as the algorithm might still trigger a summary if it deems it highly relevant to the intent of the query.

Is the udm=14 parameter safe to use?

Yes. The udm=14 parameter is a standard URL command used by Google’s own interface to designate the "Web" search category. It does not compromise your security or privacy; it simply changes which version of the search results page is displayed to you.

Why did Google remove the option to disable AI in Search Labs?

Google moved AI Overviews out of Labs to make them a standard part of the search product. In their view, this feature is no longer experimental but an essential upgrade to help users find information more quickly, despite the mixed feedback from the user community.

Will these workarounds work forever?

Technology is always evolving. While the udm=14 parameter and "Web" filter currently work, Google could theoretically change or remove these features in the future. However, as long as Google maintains a "Web" tab for classic results, these methods should remain functional.