Remember when Google searches actually showed websites?

You typed a question, hit search, and got a list of links. You clicked around, read different viewpoints, and decided what made sense for you. That experience is slowly disappearing.

Google has rolled out AI Overviews, which are AI-written summaries that now sit at the top of many searches. Sometimes they help. A lot of the time, they get in the way.

If you’d rather search the web the old way and read information directly from real websites, here’s how to take some control back.

Why People Want to Disable AI Overviews

Before getting into the how, it helps to understand why so many people are frustrated.

• They’re not always right
  AI summaries can sound confident while being wrong. You still end up checking sources yourself.
• They hurt creators
  When Google answers your question directly, you never visit the site that actually did the work.
• They push real results down
  Sometimes the actual links don’t even show on your screen unless you scroll.
• People want the original context
  Many readers prefer full articles instead of short summaries.
• Trust has already been broken
  Google’s AI has given some wild advice in the past. That sticks with people.

Method 1: The URL Trick

This is the easiest method. After you search on Google, add this to the end of the web address:

&udm=14

Example:

• Regular search:
  google.com/search?q=best+hiking+boots
• Search without AI:
  google.com/search?q=best+hiking+boots&udm=14

This forces Google to show classic web results.

Downside: You have to remember to add it every time.

Method 2: Use a Browser Extension

This is the easiest long-term fix.

For Chrome, Edge, or Brave:

• Hide Google AI Overviews
• Google Search AI Remover
• uBlacklist (more control, more setup)

For Firefox:

• Google AI Overview Remover
• uBlacklist

These extensions automatically hide AI summaries so you don’t have to think about it.

Method 3: Change Your Search Engine

If you’re tired of fighting Google, this works. Search engines without AI summaries:

• DuckDuckGo – clean and privacy-focused
• Startpage – Google results without tracking or AI clutter
• Kagi – paid, no ads, full control
• Bing – AI exists, but easier to ignore

You can set one as your default and still use Google when needed.

Method 4: Use Google’s “Web” Filter

Sometimes Google shows a Web tab near Images and News. When it appears, click it. You’ll get normal results.

The issue is that Google doesn’t always show this option anymore.

Method 5: Create a Custom Bookmark

This automates the URL trick.

Chrome or Edge:

1. Right-click bookmarks bar
2. Add new bookmark
3. Name it “Google Web Search”
4. URL:https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14

Firefox:

1. Bookmark any page
2. Edit bookmark
3. Set location to the same URL
4. Add a keyword like gw

Now you can search without AI in one step.

Method 6: Block It at the DNS Level

This is for advanced users. You can block AI-related scripts at the network level using tools like Pi-hole. It works across devices, but it’s more effort than most people need.

What Actually Works Best

From testing:

• Most people should install an extension and move on
• Power users may want to try Kagi or Startpage
• Tech-savvy users can combine bookmarks and filters

Google isn’t making it easy to turn AI off. That alone says a lot.

If you feel like you’re fighting your search engine just to read real websites, it might be time to change how you search.