How to Turn Off Google AI Overview in 2026: Every Method That Works
You cannot officially turn off Google AI overview. Google removed the Search Labs opt-out toggle for most users in 2026. But five free workarounds remove AI-generated summaries effectively: the Web tab (zero setup), the -AI query trick, the udm=14 URL parameter, a custom search engine in Chrome or Firefox and browser extensions like Hide Google AI Overviews.
About 50% of Google searches now show an AI-generated summary at the top, affecting over 2 billion users. The good news is that every method below works right now and costs nothing.
Can you officially turn off Google AI overview?
No. Google provides no account-level setting to turn off Google AI overview. The company removed the opt-out toggle from Search Labs for most users during the global rollout. It is worth checking your account first by visiting google.com while signed in and looking for the Search Labs icon (a beaker or flask icon). If you see it, tap it and look for an AI Overview or Search Generative Experience toggle.
Most users will not find one. Google appears to treat AI Overview as a core default feature rather than an optional add-on. The five methods below all work in 2026 and replace what used to be a simple toggle.
Why are so many people trying to remove AI overview from Google?
The most common reason is inaccurate AI-generated results. Documented examples of dangerous AI hallucinations have included suggestions to eat rocks for better digestion, instructions involving nonexistent “blinker fluid,” and recommendations to drink urine for hydration. These examples became widely shared and contributed directly to the surge in users searching for ways to disable AI summaries.
Beyond accuracy, many users want to see real sources again. AI Overview pushes organic blue links further down the page, making it harder to find original articles and expert opinions. Others cite privacy concerns, though it is worth clarifying upfront: removing AI Overview from your results does not stop Google from processing or training on your search queries.
What is the fastest way to remove AI overview on Google right now?
The Web tab requires zero setup and takes two seconds. After any Google search, look at the filter row just below the search bar. You will see tabs labeled All, Images, News, Videos and Web. Google instantly reloads showing only traditional blue link results with no AI-generated summary. This works on every browser on desktop and mobile.
No extensions, no settings, no technical knowledge needed. The downside is that it resets between sessions, so you click it again each time. For a permanent fix, keep reading.
What is the -AI query trick and how does it work?
Add -AI to the end of any Google search query with no space before the minus sign. For example, search best laptops -AI instead of the plain version. The minus operator tells Google to exclude results mentioning AI, which consistently suppresses the AI Overview panel as a side effect. This works on any browser, any device, with zero configuration, making it the fastest per-search fix that works everywhere including mobile.
How do you permanently remove AI overview on Chrome desktop?
The most permanent desktop fix is a custom search engine that routes all searches through Google’s Web filter automatically. Here is the setup:
- Open Chrome and type chrome://settings/searchEngines into the address bar
- Scroll to Site Search and click Add
- Enter Name: AI-Free Web, Shortcut: @web, URL: {google:baseURL}search?q=%s&udm=14
- Click the three dots next to the new entry and select Make Default
Every search through Chrome’s address bar now shows traditional results without AI Overview. The setup takes under three minutes.
The &udm=14 URL parameter works at the server level, which makes it more durable than browser extensions. Extensions depend on client-side code and break when Google updates its frontend. The udm=14 method sends a server-side instruction to Google’s Web filter endpoint and stays working regardless of frontend changes.
How do you get rid of AI overview in Firefox?
Firefox desktop and mobile both support the udm=14 approach through a custom search engine setting.
On Firefox desktop: Visit TenBlueLinks.org once, right-click the address bar, and select Add Google Web. Then open Firefox Settings, go to Search, and set Google Web as your Default Search Engine.
On Firefox mobile: Go to Settings, tap Search, tap Add Search Engine, and enter google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s as the URL. Save it and set it as default.
Both methods apply the Web filter to every search automatically once configured. Firefox users can also find equivalent add-ons in the Mozilla Add-ons store that handle the bypass without any manual URL setup.
How to turn off Google AI overview on mobile
The Web tab works on both Android and iPhone in mobile Chrome. After any search, tap Web in the filter row and results reload without AI Overview. It is not permanent but works immediately with zero setup.
For a permanent solution, TenBlueLinks.org and udm14.com both route searches through the Web filter automatically. Here is the Chrome setup for Android and iPhone:
- Open Chrome and visit tenbluelinks.org
- Open a new tab and perform any Google search (this registers the new option in Chrome)
- On iPhone, tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right. On Android, tap the three-dot menu at the top right
- Choose Settings, then Search Engine
- Under Recently Visited, select Google Web
All searches through Chrome now default to the Web filter. The -AI query trick also works on any mobile browser with no setup at all.
The Google app itself does not support disabling AI Overview. If you use the Google app for search on your phone, the -AI trick is your best available per-search option.
How to turn off Google AI on iPhone
The easiest iPhone approach is switching your default browser to Safari. Google serves significantly fewer AI Overviews to Safari compared to Chrome because Safari is not a Google-owned browser. You get cleaner results immediately with no configuration at all.
If you prefer staying in Chrome on iPhone, follow the TenBlueLinks method above. You can also bookmark this webpage directly on your iPhone home screen for instant AI-free searches without going through browser settings.
How do I disable Google AI overview in Firefox?
On Firefox for Android, go to Settings, tap Search, tap Add Search Engine, and enter google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s as the URL. Save it and set it as default. On iPhone with Firefox, the same steps apply through the Firefox Settings menu. Both methods apply the udm=14 parameter to every search automatically, giving Firefox mobile users a permanent solution on both platforms.
Can a Chrome extension block AI overview permanently?
Yes. Two extensions handle this automatically: Hide Google AI Overviews and Bye Bye Google AI, both available in the Chrome Web Store. Install either one with a single click and every Google search in that browser shows traditional results with no manual URL setup.
The main limitation is durability. Extensions depend on client-side code and can break when Google changes its frontend. The custom search engine udm=14 method is more reliable long-term. For users who prefer not to touch browser settings at all, extensions work well as an immediate solution. Similar add-ons are available in the Mozilla Add-ons store for Firefox desktop.
What alternative search engines show no AI overview?
DuckDuckGo and Brave Search both return traditional blue link results by default with no AI-generated summaries. DuckDuckGo’s AI Chat is entirely optional and kept completely separate from regular search results. Brave Search operates its own fully independent index, unlike DuckDuckGo which sources results from Bing and Yahoo. Both work on desktop and mobile for users who want to leave Google entirely.
Does hiding AI overview stop Google from training on your searches?
No. Removing AI-generated summaries from your results does not affect how Google collects or uses your search data. Google still processes your queries for AI training regardless of the display method you use. If data privacy is your main concern, using DuckDuckGo or Brave Search provides meaningfully stronger protection because neither collects search history by default.
Which method works best for your situation?
| Platform | Recommended Method | Steps | ||||
| Chrome Desktop | Custom search engine via chrome://settings/searchEngines | 3 steps, 2 minutes | ||||
| Firefox Desktop | Right-click address bar > Add Google Web > Set default | 3 steps, 1 minute | ||||
| Chrome on Android | TenBlueLinks.org > Settings > Search Engine > Google Web | 5 steps | ||||
| Chrome on iPhone | TenBlueLinks.org > Settings > Search Engine > Google Web | 5 steps | ||||
| Safari on iPhone | Use Safari as default browser (fewer AI results naturally) | 0 steps | ||||
| Firefox Mobile | Settings > Search > Add Search Engine > udm=14 | 4 steps | ||||
| Any browser, quick fix | Add -AI to the end of any search query | 0 steps | ||||
The takeaway from this article
Turning off Google AI overview permanently takes under three minutes on desktop using the custom search engine method. On mobile, the TenBlueLinks.org setup handles Chrome on both iPhone and Android reliably. Start with the Web tab or -AI trick right now if you need immediate relief, then invest three minutes in the permanent custom search engine setup when you have a moment. Once configured, you should not need to think about it again.
