Google AI plays an important role, as it is integrated within all of Google’s products. But here, various users are looking to disable Google AI and get a more organic experience. After spending a whole day, I have personally tested account settings and browser configuration. And the result is that you can’t turn it off permanently. But there are some procedures, such as the AI in Search feature in Labs, adding “- ai” as a suffix after your search query, etc., that you can perform to do so.
In this guide, I will show you how to effectively turn off Google AI. Also, you will know what will happen after doing this. Stay with us till the end to clear all your doubts.
Key Notes!
- Desktop Solutions: Consider downloading extensions, adding “-ai” at the end of your search query, or using “&udm=14” at the end of your search URL.
- Mobile Fixes: Use the ‘Web’ search filter or switch to a privacy-focused browser like DuckDuckGo.
- Privacy Angle: By turning off Google AI, you will restrict the processing of unnecessary data and keep searches more efficient.
- User Control: You will have full control to manage and customize Google in the way you want.
- Accuracy Matters: AI-powered summaries may be outdated or not provide the exact information the way you want, as compared to traditional Google.
- Speed and Simplicity: Standard search results are easier to scan and load faster.
- Alternatives: You can try other search engines, such as Bing or DuckDuckGo, if you want to experience AI-free.
Why Do Users Want to Turn Off Google AI?
These are the common reasons behind this.
- Distrust in AI Overview: As per the survey of Gartner in late 2025, A late 2025 Gartner study highlights that 41% of users report ‘search fatigue’ due to the increased complexity of AI-interstitial results.
- Handles Data Void and Risk of hallucinations: Google AI doesn’t know about the data void, and instead of saying “I don’t know” as a response, it may provide you with outdated content or hallucinations. As a result, it can lead to real-world and dangerous mistakes.
- Impact on Decision-Making: Users report that the ability to make independent, informed decisions has been weakened since AI Overview came on the market. However, its only purpose is to find and dictate what is relevant.
- Similarity and Lack of Uniqueness: There are various users who feel that these AI-powered summaries provide a similar answer for their search queries. In addition, it neglects certain unique traits that they are seeking for their content.
- Reduction in Click-Through Rates: An Ahrefs study from February 4, 2026, found that the presence of AI Overviews correlates with a 58% lower average click-through rate for top-ranking pages compared to those without.
- Localized for Your Expertise: Google AI does not provide real-time updates properly. For example, if someone searches for an affordable gym near me, it often shows the results that are already closed or the most expensive ones.
Can I Permanently Disable Google AI Overviews in Search?
Note: It is important to understand the distinction between Google Search Labs (SGE) and Public AI Overviews. If you turn off “Labs,” it only disables experimental features. However, the AI Overviews are now a permanent part of the Google algorithm. Moreover, it requires additional workarounds to hide.
No, you cannot permanently disable core AI Overviews in Google Search, as they are a standard feature like knowledge panels—turning off Labs experiments only affects opt-in versions. However, there are some temporary ways in which you can disable it. These are as follows:
- Consider using the Web filter.
- You can use {google:baseURL}/search?udm=14&q=%s to get traditional Google results.
- Install web browser extensions.
- Add “Web” to your search query.
How Can I Manually Hide AI Results Without Changing My Settings?
There are several options to do that:
Method 1: Turn off “AI in Search” Features in Labs
- Open any web browser on any device.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Tap on New tab ➕.
- Tap on Labs at the top of the page.
- Then, go to Manage.
- Turn off AI in Search.
Important Point to be Noticed! As per Google, when you turn off the Experiment Labs, it does not mean that you are disabling Google AI in search outside of these Labs.
Method 2: Consider Using the Web Filter After Every Search
This is one of the simplest and most manual methods that just requires a Web filter. By using this, you will get only text-based references without an AI overview.
What you need to do is:
- Search for any query on Google.
- Look for More from the menu bar.
- Here, you will get four options:
- Web
- News
- Books
- Maps.
- Choose Web as a filter.
Pro Tip! If you are using this filter too frequently, instead of this, consider going with Cstom Search Engine or CSS Script. It will save your extra clicks.
Method 3: Use the “Web” Filter for AI-Free Results
Let me provide you with an example – Generative tools -ai
Provide your feedback to Google via the link in the search result.
Pro Tip! AI Overview can’t be officially turned off. Thus, you can share your feedback with Google within the Google Search Results page.
Method 4: Consider Using Alternate Search Engines
If you want to experience a totally AI-free search experience, I recommend you to switch from Google to other options, such as Brave Search, DuckDuckGo with AI hidden in its settings, and Startpage.
By choosing the above, any search engine, you can easily get organic results.
How Do I Remove Gemini AI from Android?
Follow the steps as listed below:
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down a bit to find Google.
- Go to All Services.
- Choose Search, Assistant and Voice.
- From the list, choose Gemini.
- Scroll down a bit and find Digital Assistants from Google.
- Tap on the link that says, “You can turn off your digital assistant from Google at any time.”
- A pop-up will appear that asks you to turn off.
- Tap on it.
Note: If you want to use Gemini but aren’t willing to store your commands in My Activity, you need to disable it. But make sure that Google Gemini will save your activity for up to 72 hours as temporary data for security purposes. To do so:
- Once again, open Gemini.
- Move towards your Profile.
- Navigate to Gemini Apps Activity and tap on Turn Off.
- Tap on Delete and choose the All Time option.
- Finally, tap on Got it.
Expert Tip! Google plans to phase out Google Assistant on most Android devices by March 2026, replacing it with Gemini
How to Limit AI Search on iPhone (Safari)
On iOS, while you cannot modify the Safari engine’s internal code, you can change your default search engine to one that doesn’t use AI Overviews.
- Move towards Settings
- Head to Safari.
- Look for Search Engine. Tap on it.
- Choose DuckDuckGo or Ecosia to bypass Google’s AI Overviews.
Alternatively, you can use the Google App and tap on your Profile Icon > Settings > General to turn off ‘Discover’ and related AI suggestions.
What is the “udm=14” Trick for Google Search?
This “udm=14” is the parameter of the URL that is used for getting classic web results. It effectively removes AI overviews or AI-powered summaries and knowledge panels. Moreover, it is an important way to skip Google’s modern AI-focused search interface so that users can easily get a more link-based experience.
How Do I Manually Add &udm=14 to a Google URL?
The following steps are especially for the desktop users. You just need to set up a customized search engine under your browser settings by using a specific URL parameter (&udm=14).
- Open any browser and go to its Settings.
- Move to the Search engine section.
- Pick the Manage Search Engine and site search. There may be a similar option as well. You can also choose it.
- Click on the Add button under Site Search.
- Fill out the following fields.
- Search engine name: De-AI Web (or you can set the name yourself)
- Shortcut: @web (or if you have any easy shortcut, you can also prefer it)
- URL: Type {google:baseURL}/search?q=%s&udm=14
- Click on the Add button.
That’s all! Now, you will get AI free web. You just need to click on the three-dot menu so that you can set it as the default.
Expert Tip! You can manually add &udm=14 at the end of any URL so that you will get results without AI-powered summaries. Moreover, in my testing, it reduces page load speed because it doesn’t need to go with data-intensive, heavy AI-generated content.
Are There Any Browser Extensions That Automate This Bypass?
YES! There are various browser extensions that are designed so that you can easily hide or remove Google AI. The following tools that I am going to discuss are accessible on desktop web browsers, such as Firefox, Chrome, and Edge.
- Bye Bye, Google AI: Tom’s Hardware has developed this browser extension. It works beyond AI. In addition, it lets you hide ads, discussions, and People Also Ask sections.
- Hide Google AI Overview: This extension is the best and most popular choice for Firefox and Chrome users. Moreover, it does not require any configuration and instantly disables AI-powered summaries.
- No AI Google Search: This extension is only available on OpenSource and GitHub. In addition, it is specially designed to hide the AI Overview that appears in Google search results.
- Pre-AI Search: By using this extension, users will see pre-2023-style Google results. Besides this, it automatically disables AI-powered summaries so that you can only see the organic and human-created results.
- Disable AI Overview: This is the lightweight option. However, it hides the AI Overview immediately after searching for any query.
Note: Browser extensions may break with Google updates now that Manifest V3 is fully implemented. You should always have a backup plan, like using &udm=14, a web filter, or alternative search engines, in case an extension becomes incompatible.
How to Turn Off Google AI in Gmail?
Here are the instructions listed below:
For Mobile Device:
- Open the Gmail app on your mobile device.
- From three horizontal lines, head to Settings.
- Choose your Gmail address.
- Untick the Smart Features box.
- Navigate to Google Workspace smart features.
- Here, you need to uncheck the boxes again of:
- Smart features in Google Workspace.
- Smart features in other Google products.
That’s it! If you have more than one Gmail account, you need to follow the above steps again.
For Desktop:
- Log in to your targeted Gmail account.
- Click on the Settings icon.
- Head to See All Settings.
- Now, you have the General tab that is opened.
- Scroll down your screen a bit to find Google Workspace smart features.
- Click on it.
- Now, select Manage Workspace Smart Feature Settings.
- Disable both options:
- Smart features in Google Workspace.
- Smart features in other Google products.
How to Hide Google AI on Google Photos?
Follow the listed instructions:
- Access Google Photos.
- Go to your profile picture.
- Choose Photos Settings.
- Move towards Preferences.
- Now, head to Gemini features in Photos.
- Turn off any features if you see that they are not helpful for you.
Note: There are some features that require cancellation of Google One subscriptions or Workspace Labs participation. And most importantly, after leaving, you will not be able to rejoin.
Can I Turn Off Google AI For Smart Speakers or Displays?
YES! You can easily disable your Google AI on smart displays and speakers. To do so, you need to follow the steps as listed below.
- Open Google Home on your preferred device.
- Determine which device you are willing to turn off its Google AI.
- Navigate to the Settings section.
- Move to More Settings.
- Now, you need to choose the Assistant section.
- Here, disable the Google Assistant.
What Happens to AI-Powered Summaries When You Turn off Google AI?
These are the following circumstances that you will have to face.
- Lack of Core AI Overviews: If you disable Google AI from Experimental Labs, you will not be able to see AI-powered summaries of these lab versions.
- Hardwired Feature: As of 2026, AI Overviews are seen as an integral feature of the search engine, so it can’t be globally turned off.
- Impact on Google Workspace (Gmail & Docs): When you uncheck the box of Smart Features in your Gmail, you will not be able to see your Gmail summaries. Apart from that, these automatic email categorizations, such as Promotional, Primary, and Social, will also be removed. In addition, you will lose the ability to smart compose. Google won’t be able to automatically add your travel events to your Google Calendar.
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- Loss of Rich Snippets: After turning off Google AI, you will also lose access to the rich features, such as recipe cards, a preview of videos, as well as shopping blocks.
- Increased Click-Through Rates: As per my research, when we disable Google AI, we can easily and directly click on the links to get more in-depth knowledge. By doing this, it boosts click-through rates.
How to Create a Bookmarklet?
Bookmarklets are specially designed to consist of JavaScript code rather than having a URL. By having this, users can easily run scripts, manipulate web pages, and add features with a single click. They are also termed as JavaScript bookmarks or favelets that are located in the bookmarks bar.
So, when you use this bookmarklet, it will show just like a pop-up window within your search field. After typing the query, press the Enter key or click the OK button. Now, you will see the results without getting AI-powered summaries.
Let’s see the following instructions to do so:
- Create a new bookmark by pressing the Ctrl+D keys simultaneously on your web browser.
- Enter its name, such as AI-free Google. Or, you can set its name accordingly.
- Now, you need to paste the following code: javascript:(function(){var q=prompt(‘Search Google Web Mode:’);if(q)window.location=’https://www.google.com/search?udm=14&q=’+encodeURIComponent(q);})();
Note: You are not allowed to launch it from your web browser’s home screen if the above URL is not mentioned. In addition, it is best for users who have locked-down office desktops where they can’t change their settings.
What Are the Best Google AI Alternatives in 2026?
These are some of the best Google AI alternatives that you should look for:
- Perplexity: It is one of the best and strongest AI-powered web searches that can easily handle most complicated tasks that you can expect from any AI chatbot.
- DuckDuckGo: It has privacy protections that are beyond the AI features. Moreover, it consists of Search Assist, which quickly generates answers on the basis of search queries. In addition, it doesn’t share your default location nor train AI models for your data.
- Microsoft Bing: Bing is another competitor of Google AI and has 33 million active users. It delivers AI-powered answers along with citations and offers strong visual search capabilities.
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT: It handles text-based prompts very perfectly as compared to all other AI tools. Beyond this, it has the capability to describe a basic concept in very easy language so that students can also understand that. Moreover, it performs a quick literary analysis.
People May Also Ask
These are some important questions for turning off Google AI.
Q1. Can I turn generative AI off?
Ans. There is no permanent way to turn off Google’s generative AI. However, you can only disable or limit Google AI by using the URL parameter &udm=14 to get the traditional Google results.
Q2. How to get rid of advanced search?
Ans. If you don’t want to use the advanced search anymore, you can consider bypassing it by opting for certain search filters.
These are as follows:
- The Web-only search filter,
- Change browser settings,
- The use of google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14
- And download extensions.
Q3. Why does Google keep showing AI?
Ans. Google keeps showing you AI Overview on its search engine because it has become an integral and permanent feature. In addition, it offers you summarized answers to your related search query.
Q4. Will turning off Google AI affect my searches?
Ans. YES! Your search experience will be significantly affected after disabling Google AI, as you will get traditional Google results without summarized answers. Moreover, you will get direct access to authentic sources.
Q5. How do I remove Google Gemini from the home button?
Ans. Follow the steps below to do so:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Scroll down to find Apps. Tap on it.
- Go to Default Apps.
- Look for the Digital Assistant App or Assist & Voice Input.
- Choose the app that you want for a digital assistant. Change it from Gemini to your preferred choice.
Q6. Can I avoid AI on Google?
Ans. YES! You can partially avoid AI on Google with the help of the Web search filter. You just need to filter it after every search. Otherwise, you can use a browser extension, such as Simple Search or Bye Bye Google AI.
Q7. How do I stop Google Assistant from running in the background?
Ans. Here are the instructions that you need to follow.
- On your device, open Google Apps.
- Tap on your profile picture.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Choose Google Assistant and then General.
- Turn off your Google Assistant.
Or, you can stop background listening by disabling ‘Hey Google.’
Q8. How do I remove AI suggestions in Google Docs?
Ans. To do so, follow the workarounds below:
- Open Google Docs.
- Go to Tools and then Preferences.
- You need to uncheck “Show Smart Reply” suggestions.
- Then, keep other options checked.
- Click the OK button to save.
Concluding Words!
You can easily disable Google AI on a temporary basis, not permanently. However, it has become a core functionality of the advanced search engines. You can consider placing &udm=14 at the end of your preferred URL or simply use -ai after your search query. Just remember one thing that if you are using web browser extensions to toggle it off, there are high risks. However, these extensions are updated on Manifest V3, so if Google announces any update regarding them, they will become inaccessible to you.
