How to Turn Off AI Overview on Google?

Google’s AI Overviews are now a standard part of search. These AI-generated summaries appear at the top of search results and try to answer your query instantly. Some users like them. Others want to Turn Off AI Overview and see the classic list of results instead.

Unfortunately, there’s no official “off” switch that fully disables AI Overviews across all Google searches. But there are real workarounds that let you reduce or hide them when you want to.

Come explore everything you need to know in simple language, with easy steps you can follow.

What is Google AI overview?

Google’s AI Overview is a feature that automatically generates a summary for certain searches. It’s powered by AI that scans web pages, combines information, and presents a summarized answer before traditional links.

This change impacts ordinary searches and even how people think about AI overview SEO and AIO SEO. For many users, this is helpful, but for others, it feels cluttered or intrusive.

Also Read: How to Optimize for AI Overviews: Proven 10 Practices to Follow

Why do people want to turn off AI overview?

Even though AI Overviews can be informative, many users want to turn off AI overview because:

They prefer the familiar list of websites
Summaries may be vague or inaccurate
The layout pushes “blue links” further down
They want more control over what they read

Marketers and publishers also worry about how AI Overviews affect AI overview SEO, because AI can reduce traffic to traditional web pages.

Can you fully turn off AI overview?

You might be hoping for a single toggle in Google settings. Unfortunately, that doesn’t exist today. Google does not allow users to completely disable AI Overviews across all searches.

But you can use methods that block, hide, or bypass them in many cases. Here’s how to Turn Off AI Overview in practical ways.

1. Use the web filter (Classic Results Only)

One of the easiest things you can do is switch to the “Web” tab after searching. When Google shows an AI Overview, look for the filter options under the search bar.

Steps:

Do a Google search
Click More or Web
Switch to the Web tab

This hides the AI Overview and shows traditional links instead, a quick way to off AI Overview without browser tricks.

2. Disable “AI overviews and more” in search labs

Google introduced Search Labs, a place for experimental search features. If you’re enrolled, you may see the option to toggle off “AI Overviews and more.”

To check:

Visit Search Labs (labs.google.com/search/manage)
Find AI Overviews and more
Toggle it off

Important: Turning this off in Labs doesn’t stop all AI Overviews everywhere, but it reduces them in supported cases.

3. Use browser extensions to hide AI overviews

Extensions are one of the easiest ways to quickly off AI Overview on-screen.

You can install extensions like:

Turn Off Google AI Overview
Hide Google AI Overviews
Tools that block AI sections via CSS or filters

These add-ons automatically remove the summary panels from your view. Just install, enable, and refresh your search page. Extensions work well because they hide the AI Overview rather than waiting for Google to change settings.

4. Modify your default Google Search Engine

If you’re using Chrome on a desktop, you can change your search settings so that Google always uses a special search configuration that avoids AI summaries.

How:

Open Chrome settings
Go to Search Engine → Manage search engines
Add a new search engine with this parameter:
{google:baseURL}search?q=%s&udm=14
Make this your default

This custom search generally loads only traditional results, helping you Turn Off AI Overview more permanently.

5. Use alternative Search Engines

If your goal is a truly AI-free experience, consider search engines that let you control AI features, like:

DuckDuckGo (with AI disabled in settings)
Brave Search
Startpage

These won’t show Google’s AI summaries, effectively letting you Turn Off AI Overview by choosing a different engine.

Tips across devices

On Desktop

Use browser extensions
Set up a custom search engine
Use a Web filter after searches

On Mobile

Use Incognito or signed-out mode
Try mobile-friendly tools like TenBlueLinks that avoid AI panels
Alternative search apps can also help

Mobile control is more limited than desktop, but still effective with the right tools.

What happens to AI overview SEO when you turn off AI Overview?

For users, hiding AI Overviews means cleaner results and more control. But for publishers, it changes how content is accessed.
AI Overviews influence AI overview SEO because:

Summarized answers compete with organic links
Some traffic shifts away from publishers
SEO strategies must now consider both AI summaries and traditional rankings

Even if a user tries to Turn Off AI Overview, marketers must still create content that performs well across both formats.

Also Read: SEO Optimization Tips & Strategies for the LLM & AI Tool Rankings

Final thoughts

There’s no single button to fully off AI Overview in all Google search results. But there are ways to avoid or hide it, from using the Web filter to custom search engines and browser extensions.

Whether you prefer traditional search links or a cleaner layout, these tactics help you regain control of your search experience. At the same time, understanding AI overview SEO and staying adaptable is key for businesses in the AI era.

FAQs

Can I permanently turn off AI overview on Google?

No, Google hasn’t provided a full off switch yet. But filters and tools help bypass it.

Does clicking “Web” remove the AI Overview?

Yes, using the Web filter typically removes the AI summary and shows classic links.

Do browser extensions really Turn Off AI Overview?

Extensions hide the panel visually; they don’t stop Google from generating it, but they make it invisible.

Is Search Labs the same as turning off AI Overview?

Search Labs can reduce AI Overviews, but it doesn’t completely stop them everywhere.

Can I Turn Off AI Overview on mobile?

You can limit it using incognito mode or alternative search tools, though full control is harder on mobile.