What AI Overviews are and why you might want to block them

AI Overviews are summaries that Google generates using artificial intelligence and displays at the top of search results. Instead of clicking through to a website, you see a paragraph or two of AI-written text that answers your question directly on the search results page. Google started rolling these out in 2024 and has been expanding them across different search queries.

You might want to block them for several reasons: they can contain inaccurate information (Google's own testing has found errors), they reduce traffic to the original websites that provided the information, or you simply prefer to read the actual source material rather than an AI summary. Unlike ads or tracking, there is no single master switch to turn off AI Overviews for everyone — your options depend on which device and browser you use.

Key Takeaways

  • Google does not offer a built-in setting to disable AI Overviews globally, but you can remove them on a per-search basis by clicking the three-dot menu next to the overview and selecting "Show less like this".
  • Using a search engine other than Google — such as DuckDuckGo, Bing, or Brave Search — is the most reliable way to avoid AI Overviews entirely.
  • Browser extensions exist that hide AI Overviews, though their effectiveness depends on Google's updates and which browser you use.
  • Opting out of Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) in your Google account settings may reduce AI Overviews, though this setting does not may provide they will disappear completely.

Removing AI Overviews one search at a time

The simplest immediate action is to hide individual AI Overviews as they appear. When you see an overview at the top of your search results, look for the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top right corner of the overview box. Click those dots and select "Show less like this." Google will learn from this feedback and may show you fewer overviews on similar topics.

This approach works on any device and any browser, since you are using Google's own interface. However, it does not prevent overviews from appearing on future searches — you are only telling Google you did not want that particular one. If you run dozens of searches a day, this becomes tedious quickly.

Turning off Search Generative Experience in your Google account

Google's experimental AI search features live under a setting called Search Generative Experience (SGE). Disabling this may reduce the number of AI Overviews you see, though Google has not may provide that turning it off will remove them entirely. To find this setting, go to Google.com, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Settings," then click "Search settings" in the left menu. Look for an option labeled "Generative AI features" or "Search Generative Experience" and toggle it off.

The location and exact name of this setting can shift as Google reorganizes its interface. If you cannot find it, search for "Google SGE settings" in your browser to find the current path. Keep in mind that this setting only affects your account when you are signed in — if you search while logged out, AI Overviews may still appear.

Switching to a different search engine

The most straightforward way to avoid AI Overviews is to stop using Google Search. DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, and Bing do not currently display AI Overviews in the same way Google does. DuckDuckGo is designed around privacy and does not track your searches. Brave Search is built into the Brave browser and also prioritizes privacy. Bing does use AI features, but they appear differently and are not the same as Google's AI Overviews.

Switching search engines takes a few minutes to set up. In most browsers, you can change your default search engine in settings. On Chrome, go to Settings > Search Engine > Manage search engines, then set your preferred engine as default. On Firefox, click the search bar, select "Manage Search Engines," and choose a new default. On Safari, go to Settings > Search, then pick a new search engine from the dropdown.

Using browser extensions to hide AI Overviews

Several browser extensions have been built specifically to hide Google's AI Overviews. Popular options include "No Google AI Overviews" and "Remove Google AI Overviews," both available in the Chrome Web Store. These extensions work by injecting code that hides the overview box from your view. To install one, open your browser's extension store, search for the extension name, and click "Add to Chrome" (or the equivalent for your browser).

Extensions are effective but come with a caveat: they depend on Google's page structure staying the same. When Google changes how it displays overviews, extensions may break until the developer updates them. Additionally, extensions only work in the browser where you install them — if you search on your phone or a different computer, you will still see overviews. Some extensions also require permissions to read the content of Google's pages, which is worth reviewing before you install.

What to know about AI Overview accuracy

Google's AI Overviews have generated headlines for providing incorrect information — including false claims about food safety, historical events, and scientific facts. These errors happen because AI language models can confidently state things that sound plausible but are wrong. Google has said it is working to reduce these errors, but the problem has not been fully solved.

This is one reason many people prefer to read the original sources themselves rather than rely on an AI summary. Even if you do not block AI Overviews entirely, it is worth clicking through to the actual websites when the overview covers something important or sensitive — health information, legal questions, financial decisions, or anything you need to verify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off AI Overviews for everyone in my household?

Not through a single setting. If you control your home Wi-Fi router, some advanced routers allow you to block certain domains or filter content, but this is complex and not designed for this purpose. The easiest approach is to have each person in your household change their default search engine or install a browser extension on their devices.

Will blocking AI Overviews affect my search results otherwise?

No. The regular search results below the overview will remain the same. You are only removing the AI-generated summary at the top. All the website links and snippets you normally see will still appear.

Do AI Overviews appear on mobile Google searches?

Yes, they appear on both mobile and desktop. If you use the Google app on your phone, you will see overviews. Switching your phone's default search engine or using a mobile browser (like Chrome or Safari) set to a different search engine will prevent them from showing up on mobile too.

If I use Google's "Incognito" mode, will AI Overviews still show?

Yes. Incognito mode prevents Google from storing your search history on your account, but it does not change what Google displays in search results. AI Overviews will still appear in Incognito searches.

What if I want AI Overviews sometimes but not always?

The "Show less like this" option is your best tool for this. Use it on overviews you do not want to see, and Google will gradually show you fewer of them. You can also switch between search engines depending on what you are searching for — use Google when you want the overview, and DuckDuckGo or Brave when you do not.