How To Turn Off Google AI Overviews Search & Avoid Misleading Answers: All You Need To Know

Google offers a straightforward solution for those who prefer traditional search results without AI-generated summaries.

Google AI Overviews has been coming under the spotlight of late for all the wrong reasons. ( Image Source :Google )

Google AI Overviews, the search giant's new feature that uses the Gemini AI to provide comprehensive summaries of search topics, has been coming under the spotlight of late for all the wrong reasons. Some users have expressed concerns, noting that the AI-generated content are sometimes showing incorrect or misleading results, including claims that former United States President Barack Obama is Muslim and that consuming a small rock daily is beneficial due to its vitamin and mineral content.

For those who prefer traditional search results without AI-generated summaries, Google offers a straightforward solution. Read on to find out how.

How To Turn Off AI Overviews On Google Search

By selecting the 'Web' filter, located alongside the 'Images,' 'Videos,' and 'News' filters, users can bypass AI content and view only text-based links relevant to their query. On desktop, this filter is accessible under the 'More' button, while mobile users can find it directly.

If manually selecting the 'Web' filter for each search is inconvenient, users can adjust their browser settings to automatically use this filter. This involves creating a custom search engine shortcut within the browser settings, which then becomes the default search option.

To set this up, users should navigate to the search engine section in their browser settings and opt to create a new search engine shortcut. They can name this shortcut something simple, like 'og' for Old Google, and input www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14 as the URL.

Once saved, typing 'og' followed by a search term in the address bar will automatically apply the 'Web' filter. Additionally, this shortcut can be set as the default search engine to eliminate the need to enter the shortcut each time.

This customisation provides users with the flexibility to choose between AI-enhanced search results and traditional web links, catering to different preferences and ensuring a more tailored search experience.