Google Search’s AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results after a user asks a question. Initially available only to those signed up in Search Labs, AI Overviews have now been rolled out to all users in the US as of May 14. Powered by Google’s Gemini generative AI model, these summaries aim to provide quick and useful information, but may not always be accurate. While some users appreciate the convenience of AI-generated summaries, others prefer a more traditional search page with clickable links.
During the recent Google I/O conference, Google announced the expansion of AI Overviews to hundreds of millions of users in the US, with plans to reach over a billion people globally by the end of the year. These AI-generated responses are meant to assist users in finding information quickly and efficiently. However, for those who prefer a hands-on approach to searching, the inability to disable AI Overviews in search results may be frustrating. Users cannot turn off this feature in Google or Chrome settings, as it is now hardwired into search results.
Despite the lack of a built-in option to disable AI Overviews, there are some workarounds available to users who wish to avoid these AI-generated summaries. One option is to use the Web tab at the top of Google search results, which allows users to access a more traditional search layout with clickable links. Another workaround is to use a different web browser, such as Safari or Firefox, which may not display AI Overviews like Chrome does. Additionally, Chrome users can utilize browser extensions like the Hide Google AI Overviews extension to remove all AI-generated summaries from their search results.
While AI Overviews aim to streamline the search process and provide quick answers to user queries, their presence may not be welcomed by all users. The expansion of AI Overviews to a larger user base reflects Google’s commitment to leveraging AI technologies to enhance the search experience. Despite the inability to turn off AI Overviews directly, users have options to navigate around these AI-generated summaries and access traditional search results with clickable links. As AI continues to play a prominent role in search functionalities, Google’s efforts to improve and refine AI Overviews will shape the future of information retrieval online.
