Introduction
Google’s AI Overviews have become ubiquitous in search results since their rollout in May 2024. These AI-generated summaries, powered by a customized Gemini model, now appear at the top of search results for over 1 billion users monthly across 120+ countries. While Google touts this feature as a productivity enhancer, many users find AI Overviews intrusive, inaccurate, or simply unnecessary for their search habits.
The challenge is that there’s no straightforward “off” switch in Google Search settings. However, as of January 2026, multiple effective methods exist to completely disable these AI summaries in Chrome and maintain the clean, traditional search experience you prefer.
This comprehensive guide walks through five proven strategies—ranked by effectiveness and ease of implementation—so you can choose the solution that best fits your workflow.
Why Users Disable AI Overviews
Before diving into solutions, it’s worth understanding why millions of users actively seek to disable this feature:
Accuracy Concerns: Large language models (LLMs) that power AI Overviews hallucinate at rates ranging from 3% to 27%, depending on the specific model. Users have reported inaccurate health advice, fabricated product specifications, and misleading historical information across specialized topics.
Loss of User Control: Many users prefer to invoke AI assistance explicitly through tools like ChatGPT or Gemini when needed, rather than having it forced into every search query. This represents a fundamental shift in user agency over their search experience.
Lower Trust for Critical Information: While AI Overviews work adequately for basic factual questions (“When was World War II?”), they often fail on specialized, nuanced, or time-sensitive topics where accuracy is paramount.
Visual Clutter: The AI overview box consumes valuable real estate at the top of the page, pushing traditional search results further down and reducing scanning efficiency.
Traffic Impact: Content creators and publishers have noted decreased website traffic as users consume AI-generated summaries instead of clicking through to original sources.
Quick Comparison Table
| Method | Setup Time | Permanence | Desktop | Mobile | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web Tab Filter | Instant | Per-search | ✓ | ✓ | Very Easy |
| Custom Search Engine | 2 minutes | Permanent | ✓ | ✗ | Easy |
| Browser Extension | 1 minute | Permanent | ✓ | Limited | Very Easy |
| Mobile tenbluelinks | 2 minutes | Permanent | ✗ | ✓ | Moderate |
| Firefox Custom Search | 3 minutes | Permanent | ✓ | ✓ | Moderate |
Method 1: Click the “Web” Tab (Instant, No Setup)
Best For: Users who want an immediate solution without configuration
This is the simplest approach and requires zero technical setup.
Steps:
- Perform your Google search in Chrome as you normally would
- Look at the filter tabs beneath the search bar (you’ll see “All,” “Images,” “News,” etc.)
- Click on the “Web” tab to view traditional search results without AI Overviews
- Browse normally – the AI summary box will not appear
Limitations:
- Must be done manually for every single search
- Not practical for frequent Google users
- Only suitable as a temporary workaround
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes:
When you click “Web,” you’re essentially telling Google to filter results by adding &udm=14 to the URL parameter. This parameter forces Google’s servers to serve the classic web results layout without AI-generated summaries. Understanding this mechanism is key to the more permanent solutions below.
Method 2: Set Custom Search Engine as Default (Most Recommended for Desktop)
Best For: Desktop Chrome users who want a permanent, reliable solution
This method involves adding a custom search engine to Chrome that automatically excludes AI Overviews. This is the most robust solution for desktop users because it’s built into Chrome’s native settings and doesn’t rely on third-party extensions or workaround sites.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Open Chrome Settings
- Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of Chrome
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu
- You’ll be taken to your Chrome Settings dashboard
Step 2: Access Search Engine Settings
- In the left sidebar, click Search engine
- You’ll see your current default search engine (likely “Google”)
- Click Manage search engines and site search
Alternatively, you can skip steps 1-2 by typing this directly into your Chrome address bar: chrome://settings/searchEngines and pressing Enter.
Step 3: Add New Site Search
- Scroll down to the “Site search” section
- Click the Add button on the right side
- A new dialog box will appear with three fields
Step 4: Fill in Search Engine Details
Enter the following information exactly as shown:
- Search engine name: AI Free Web
- Shortcut: @web
- URL with %s in place of query:
{google:baseURL}search?q=%s&udm=14
The {google:baseURL} variable automatically detects your region and uses the appropriate Google domain (google.com, google.co.uk, etc.). The &udm=14 parameter is the critical element that disables AI Overviews.
Step 5: Make It Your Default Search Engine
- In the “Site search” section, find your newly created “AI Free Web” entry
- Click the three dots (⋮) next to it
- Select Make default
- A checkmark will appear next to “AI Free Web,” confirming it’s now your default
Step 6: Test the Configuration
- Open a new Chrome tab
- Type any search query into the address bar
- Press Enter
- Verify that Google loads with traditional web results and NO AI Overview box at the top
Verification Checklist:
- ✓ AI summary box is absent
- ✓ Traditional blue hyperlinks appear immediately
- ✓ Search results feel cleaner and faster-loading
- ✓ Local results (if applicable) still function normally
What This Method Does (Technical Explanation)
When you set “AI Free Web” as your default, every search you initiate from Chrome’s address bar or search box automatically appends &udm=14 to the URL. The “udm” parameter stands for “Universal Display Mode,” and the value “14” specifically represents the web-only display mode. This forces Google’s search backend to:
- Bypass the AI Overview generation pipeline
- Return only traditional organic search results
- Maintain all other Google features (image search, news, maps integration, etc.)
Important Considerations
Local Search Impact: Some users report that local search results (restaurants, services in your area) may not display as prominently when using this method. If local search is important to you, you can:
- Manually search on the “All” tab for local queries
- Keep your original Google search engine as secondary and switch to it when needed
Not a Data Privacy Solution: This method disables the display of AI Overviews but does NOT prevent Google from analyzing your search queries for AI training. If data privacy is your primary concern, consider switching to privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo or Brave Search.
Method 3: Install a Browser Extension (Fastest Setup)
Best For: Users who want plug-and-play functionality without configuration
Recommended Extensions:
Option A: Hide Google AI Overviews
- Developer: Actively maintained across Chrome and Microsoft Edge
- Installation time: Under 1 minute
- Configuration required: None – works immediately after install
Option B: Bye Bye, Google AI
- Features: Hides not just AI Overviews but also featured snippets, ads, and discussions
- Customization: Offers granular controls to hide specific elements
- Advanced settings: Choose exactly what you want to see in search results
Installation Steps:
- Open Chrome Web Store
- Click the three-dot menu (⋮) → Select Extensions → Manage Extensions
- Or visit: https://chromewebstore.google.com
- Search for the Extension
- Type “Hide Google AI Overviews” or “Bye Bye Google AI” in the search box
- Multiple options will appear—select one with high ratings (4.5+ stars)
- Install the Extension
- Click Add to Chrome
- A confirmation dialog will appear asking for permissions
- Click Add extension to confirm
- Verify Installation
- The extension icon will appear in your Chrome toolbar (top-right)
- Open a new tab and search for anything
- The AI Overview box should no longer be visible
Advantages of Extensions:
- Zero configuration – they work immediately out of the box
- Broader coverage – most extensions hide multiple AI elements beyond just Overviews
- Easy to disable – you can toggle extensions on/off anytime
- No impact on search functionality – all traditional features remain intact
Disadvantages:
- Dependency on developer maintenance – if Google changes its HTML structure, the extension may temporarily break until the developer pushes an update
- Slight performance overhead – extensions run additional code on every search result page
- Requires browser restart – sometimes necessary if you change extension settings
- May not work across all Google domains – some regional Google sites might not be fully supported
Mitigating Extension Risk
To minimize disruption from potential extension breaks:
- Bookmark the custom search engine method (Method 2) as a fallback
- Enable notifications from the extension developer to know about updates
- Check extension ratings periodically – switch to a highly-rated alternative if your current extension drops in quality
Method 4: Disable AI Overviews on Mobile Chrome (Android/iOS)
Best For: Mobile Chrome users on smartphones and tablets
Disabling AI Overviews on mobile is more complex than desktop because mobile Chrome doesn’t allow direct URL parameter customization in settings. The solution involves leveraging a third-party setup site called tenbluelinks.org.
Why tenbluelinks.org?
This site was created specifically to help mobile users bypass Google AI features. It works by making a search request through Google that automatically triggers the web-only filter, which then becomes available in your mobile browser’s recently visited search engines.
Step-by-Step Mobile Instructions:
Step 1: Open Chrome on Your Mobile Device
- Ensure you’re using the Chrome app (not Safari, Firefox, or other browsers)
- Open a new tab
Step 2: Visit tenbluelinks.org
- Type
tenbluelinks.orginto the search bar - You’ll see a simple page with instructions
- The site adds the AI-free Google search option to your recently visited engines
Step 3: Perform an Initial Search on Google
- Open another new tab
- Search for ANY term on Google.com (this is critical—the search history helps Chrome recognize available engines)
- You should see the AI Overview at the top
Step 4: Access Search Engine Settings
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) at the bottom-right of your Chrome screen
- Tap Settings
- Select Search engine
Step 5: Select Google Web
- Under “Recently visited,” you should now see Google Web (this appears automatically after visiting tenbluelinks.org)
- Tap Google Web to make it your default search engine
- A checkmark will appear next to it
Step 6: Verify the Change
- Go back to the home screen
- Search for something using the mobile Chrome address bar
- Confirm that AI Overviews no longer appear
Mobile Setup Comparison by Browser:
| Browser | Method | Ease | Permanence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome (Android/iOS) | tenbluelinks.org | Moderate | Permanent until changed |
| Firefox Mobile | Manual custom engine | Moderate | Permanent until changed |
| Safari (iOS) | Not applicable | – | Use alternative search app |
Why Mobile Is More Complicated
Google restricts the ability to add custom search engines directly on mobile browsers for security and user experience reasons. You cannot manually type the URL parameter string like you can on desktop. The tenbluelinks.org workaround works within these constraints by making a legitimate search request that prompts Chrome to recognize the web-only filter as an available engine.
Troubleshooting Mobile Setup:
Problem: “Google Web” doesn’t appear in Recently Visited
- Solution: Ensure you completed Step 2 (visiting tenbluelinks.org) before Step 3 (searching on Google)
- Re-visit tenbluelinks.org and repeat the process
- Try clearing your Chrome cache and restarting the app
Problem: AI Overviews still appear after setup
- Solution: Verify you selected “Google Web” (not just “Google”)
- Check that the checkmark appears next to “Google Web” in settings
- Force-close and restart the Chrome app
Problem: Local search results aren’t working properly
- Solution: This is expected behavior with the web-only filter on mobile
- For local results, temporarily switch back to default Google or use Google Maps app directly
Method 5: Configure Firefox (Desktop and Mobile)
Best For: Firefox users who want to avoid Chrome ecosystem
Firefox Desktop Setup:
Step 1: Open Firefox Preferences
- Click the hamburger menu (≡) in the top-right corner
- Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions)
Step 2: Access Search Settings
- In the left sidebar, click Search
- You’ll see “Default Search Engine” and “Search Shortcuts” sections
Step 3: Add Custom Search Engine
- Scroll down to the Search Shortcuts section
- Right-click in your address bar and select “Add Search Engine from this page”
- Alternatively, visit tenbluelinks.org and add it from there
Step 4: Create AI-Free Web Engine Manually
If the above doesn’t work, use the manual method:
- Go to about:preferences#search
- Look for One-Click Search Engines
- Click the “+” button to add a new engine
- Enter these details:
- Name: AI-free Web
- Search string:
google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s - Keyword: @web (optional)
Step 5: Set as Default
- In the Default Search Engine dropdown, select “AI-free Web”
- Click Save
Firefox Mobile Setup:
Step 1: Open Firefox on Mobile
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮)
- Select Settings
Step 2: Go to Search Settings
- Tap Search
- You’ll see search engine options
Step 3: Add Custom Search Engine
- Tap Add Search Engine
- Fill in:
- Name: AI-free Web
- Search URL:
google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s
Step 4: Set as Default
- Tap the default search engine dropdown
- Select AI-free Web
- Tap Save or Done
Firefox Advantages Over Chrome:
- Greater transparency – Firefox shows you exactly what data search engines receive
- Better privacy by default – Firefox blocks more trackers than Chrome
- Open-source – code is publicly auditable
- More granular search settings – easier to customize than Chrome for privacy-conscious users
Technical Deep-Dive: Understanding the &udm=14 Parameter
For readers interested in the technical mechanics:
The URL parameter udm (Universal Display Mode) controls how Google formats its search results interface. Different values produce different layouts:
- udm=14 = Web-only results (eliminates AI Overviews)
- udm=11 = Scholar results format
- udm=12 = Shopping results format
- Default = Standard results with AI Overviews (when rolled out to your account)
Google’s AI Overviews are generated in a separate pipeline before results are rendered. By specifying &udm=14, you bypass that entire pipeline, forcing the frontend to display only traditional organic results.
This is why every workaround method in this guide fundamentally relies on appending &udm=14 to your search URLs—it’s the most direct way to tell Google’s servers to skip AI generation.
Limitations and Important Caveats
This Does NOT:
- Prevent Google from analyzing your searches for AI training – disabling the display of AI Overviews doesn’t opt you out of Google’s AI training processes
- Improve search engine privacy – your searches are still sent to Google servers
- Work across all Google products – this specifically addresses Google Search; Gmail, Google Assistant, and other products have separate AI features
- Persist across browser wipes – if you clear browser data or reinstall Chrome, you’ll need to reconfigure
Potential Side Effects:
Local Search Results: Users report that location-based results (nearby restaurants, services) may be less prominent when using the web-only filter. This is because Google prioritizes these results in the standard view but deprioritizes them in web-only mode.
Shopping Results: Google Shopping cards may display differently or less frequently in AI-free mode.
Knowledge Panels: These information boxes (for celebrities, companies, etc.) may appear less prominently in some cases.
What to Do If You Change Your Mind
All methods in this guide are reversible:
- Custom Search Engine: Go back to Settings → Search Engine and select “Google” as default
- Browser Extensions: Click the extension icon and toggle off, or uninstall entirely
- Mobile tenbluelinks: Go to Settings → Search Engine and re-select “Google”
- Firefox: Change default search engine back to regular Google
You can also keep multiple search engines and switch between them based on context—for example, using “AI Free Web” for research and regular “Google” for local results.
Recommendations by User Type
Content Researchers & Academic Users
Recommended: Method 2 (Custom Search Engine) + Method 3 (Extension as Backup)
- Need permanent, reliable AI-free searches
- Require traditional result format for citation purposes
- Should keep custom search engine even if switching back occasionally
Casual Web Users
Recommended: Method 1 (Web Tab) or Method 3 (Extension)
- Don’t search frequently enough to justify configuration
- Extension offers fire-and-forget functionality
- Easy to disable if you want AI Overviews back
Power Users / Developers
Recommended: Method 2 (Custom Search Engine) + Understand Method 5 (Firefox)
- Want maximum control and understanding of implementation
- May benefit from multiple search engine profiles for different use cases
- Should consider privacy-focused alternatives like DuckDuckGo or Brave
Mobile-First Users
Recommended: Method 4 (Mobile tenbluelinks) or switch to DuckDuckGo/Brave mobile apps
- Setup is more involved on mobile
- Alternative apps may be simpler than method 4
- Consider whether AI Overviews truly impact your mobile search experience
When Google AI Overviews Might Actually Help
While this guide focuses on disabling the feature, it’s worth noting that AI Overviews have legitimate use cases:
- Comparative Shopping: “Show me budget laptops under $500 with good reviews”
- Planning Tasks: “Best vegetarian restaurants near [location]”
- Learning: “Explain photosynthesis in simple terms”
- Simple Factual Queries: “What is the capital of France?”
If you find yourself wanting AI Overviews for certain searches, you can:
- Temporarily switch to regular Google search
- Use a dedicated AI tool like ChatGPT or Gemini for complex queries
- Keep both search engines available and choose contextually
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Will disabling AI Overviews make Google Search faster?
A: Potentially yes. Removing the AI generation step can slightly reduce page load time, though the difference is typically milliseconds and may not be noticeable on modern devices.
Q: Can I disable AI Overviews just for certain types of searches?
A: Not with these methods. All solutions are all-or-nothing. For selective AI usage, manually toggle between search engines or use dedicated AI tools like ChatGPT.
Q: Do I need to update these settings after Chrome updates?
A: No. Chrome updates typically don’t affect custom search engine configurations. However, browser extensions may occasionally need updates if Google changes its search interface structure.
Q: Will this work on other Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave, Opera)?
A: Yes. Any browser using Chromium (like Microsoft Edge or Brave) can implement Method 2 using similar search engine settings. Steps may vary slightly depending on the browser.
Q: Is there an official way to disable AI Overviews through Google?
A: As of January 2026, Google does not provide an official “off” switch in Search settings. All solutions are official workarounds using documented URL parameters.
Q: What if Google removes the &udm=14 parameter?
A: If Google disables this parameter, all URL-based workarounds would stop functioning. However, browser extensions would adapt more quickly. Keep Method 3 as a backup.
Q: Will this affect my Google account settings or personalization?
A: No. These changes only affect your local browser behavior and don’t modify your Google account or search personalization preferences.
Q: Can I use these methods on work/school devices?
A: It depends on your IT policies. If your organization uses managed Chrome devices, administrators may prevent custom search engines. Check with your IT department before making changes.
Q: Do these methods work for Google Images or Google News?
A: These methods specifically target Google Search. Images and News have separate interfaces and aren’t affected by the web-only filter.
Q: How do I know which method will work best for me?
A: Use the Quick Comparison Table at the beginning of this guide. Choose based on your primary device (desktop vs. mobile), desired permanence level, and technical comfort.
Conclusion
Google AI Overviews represent a significant shift in how search results are presented, but they’re not mandatory. Whether you’re concerned about accuracy, prefer manual control over AI assistance, or simply prefer the traditional search experience, this guide provides five verified methods to completely disable AI Overviews in Chrome as of 2026.
For most users, Method 2 (Custom Search Engine) offers the best balance of permanence, simplicity, and reliability. It requires a one-time 2-minute setup and works indefinitely without maintenance.
The digital landscape is increasingly AI-integrated, but user choice remains paramount. By understanding these methods, you’re equipped to maintain your preferred search experience while Google continues evolving its products.
Key Takeaways
✓ Click the “Web” tab for instant, one-time disabling
✓ Use custom search engine method for permanent desktop solution
✓ Install browser extensions for zero-configuration approach
✓ Use tenbluelinks.org for mobile Chrome configuration
✓ Firefox offers similar functionality with slight workflow differences
✓ All methods are reversible—you can re-enable AI Overviews anytime
✓ Disabling display doesn’t affect data privacy; consider privacy-focused search engines for that
✓ Choose the method that best fits your technical comfort level and use case