{
  "id": 16173536,
  "title": "I disabled Google AI Overviews; it completely fixed my search results",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/i-disabled-google-ai-overviews-it-completely-fixed-my-search-results",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-23T10:00:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Police",
    "slug": "android-police",
    "url": "https://www.androidpolice.com/i-disabled-google-ai-overviews-and-it-completely-fixed-my-search-results/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Google's AI Overviews feature has been part of Google Search for some time now. Initially, the rollout faced difficulties, but it has since improved. Despite this, the author remains unsatisfied with the AI Overviews. The main issue is that verifying every fact requires clicking on source links, with the sources pulled sometimes turning out to be incorrect. Thus, the author often skips these AI Overviews altogether. Thankfully, there are two simple ways to achieve this. Google seems to have made it highly inconvenient to disable AI Overviews. There isn't a direct toggle option within the Chrome browser or Google app. However, the Web option can be found buried in Search's filters. On desktop, this can be accessed via the More tab, where Google typically displays less relevant filters. On mobile, swiping left on the search filter bar does the trick. Clicking this option not only eliminates AI Overviews but also removes all other filters. In Web mode, search results will only display blue links, which the author finds simple, elegant, and beautiful. Yet, Google does not offer the ability to set this as the default filter. To accomplish this, a workaround is needed. Adding the -ai prefix before the search query serves as a simple alternative. This method works on both desktop and mobile, though the author acknowledges it requires typing every time. For a quicker experience, a keyboard shortcut can be set up, though it's still an added step. On desktop, building this filter into a custom search engine is the most efficient method. The Udm14 website provides a filter directing users to the Web filter. To streamline searches, this website can be used without visiting it first. By customizing a search engine, all searches will automatically be filtered. This setup can be used across various browsers, including Firefox and Vivaldi, on desktop. However, it does not function on mobile as Chrome's Android and iOS apps lack support for custom search engines. The -ai prefix proves to be the fastest way to bypass AI Overviews on mobile. The author advises against using extensions that modify Google Search, as they often malfunction and do not entirely stop AI Overviews. Instead, they merely hide them. For those primarily concerned with reducing search costs, these methods are recommended over extensions. The Hide Google AI Overviews extension seems to work best, although most others perform similarly. Despite finding AI Overviews to be somewhat irrelevant, the author values the summary it provides alongside the context of the query. However, it's not entirely indispensable. The author's preferred search experience is the Web filter, and they stick to this method over extensions or the -ai prefix. On mobile, blocking AI Overviews is more inconvenient due to the lack of custom search engine support. The author expresses frustration over the necessity to use the -ai prefix, but acknowledges it's the best available option for now. While some people are outraged by Google forcing AI Overviews, the author emphasizes the importance of learning how to effectively use Google, including understanding prefixes like -ai. Blocking AI Overviews is just the beginning.",
  "summary": "No more wasting my time",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}