Most users are likely aware that Google Search now features 'AI Overviews' prominently at the top of result pages.
These automated summaries, introduced several months ago, seek to deliver concise, comprehensive responses to user queries, similar to those from tools like ChatGPT. However, like responses from such AI systems, the content in these overviews can sometimes contain inaccuracies.
While Google has not provided a straightforward way to turn off AI Overviews, several workarounds exist for those wishing to bypass them.
One approach involves appending the '-ai' operator to any search term. For instance, typing 'best carbon steel pans -ai' will exclude the AI summary while retrieving standard results. This method remains effective at present.
Another solution is to use a browser add-on. Chrome users can download the open-source 'Hide Google AI Overviews' extension via the Chrome Web Store, which automatically strips out these AI elements from search pages.
For a more advanced option, create a personalized search shortcut in your browser. In Chrome, go to Settings, select Search engine, then Manage search engines and site search, and add a new Site Search entry. Assign a name and shortcut, ensuring the query uses this format: {google:baseURL}search?udm=14&q=%s, where the udm=14 setting refines the results without AI interference.
Alternatively, switch to other search providers. DuckDuckGo, which prioritizes privacy, includes AI capabilities but requires users to enable them manually, keeping them off by default. Ecosia operates similarly, omitting AI outputs unless explicitly requested. Brave Search also avoids automatic AI results and stands out by using its independent index rather than relying on sources like Bing or Yandex.
This piece was first published in our affiliated outlet PC för Alla and adapted from its original Swedish version.