Yes, you can disable Google AI Overview, but the option is not always visible and the setting does not stick permanently across all your devices

Google AI Overview appears at the top of some search results on desktop and mobile, summarizing information from web pages without you clicking through. If you do not want to see it, you can hide it on individual searches, but Google does not offer a master toggle to turn it off everywhere at once. The disable option shows up only on searches where AI Overview is actually running — not all searches trigger it — and you may need to repeat the step on different devices or after clearing your browser data.

The fastest way to remove it from a single search is to click the three-dot menu icon next to the AI Overview box and select "Show less" or a similar option, depending on your device and browser. This tells Google you do not want to see summaries on that particular result. Doing this repeatedly may train Google's system to show it to you less often, but there is no permanent off switch that works across all your searches.

Key Takeaways

  • You can hide AI Overview on individual searches by clicking the menu icon next to the summary box and selecting the hide or feedback option.
  • Google does not provide a settings page where you can disable AI Overview for all searches at once.
  • The hide action applies only to that one search result and does not carry over to other devices or after you clear your browser cache.
  • Disabling JavaScript or using certain browser extensions may prevent AI Overview from loading, but this affects other Google features too.

How to hide AI Overview on a single search

When AI Overview appears on your search results, look for a small three-dot menu or settings icon next to the summary box. On most devices, this icon sits in the top right corner of the AI Overview card. Tap or click it to open a menu with options like "Show less" or "Don't show AI Overviews for this topic."

After you select the hide option, the AI Overview disappears from that search result page. The next time you search for something similar, Google may or may not show you an AI Overview — the system does not may provide it will remember your preference. If you perform the same search again on a different device or after clearing your browser cookies, the AI Overview will likely reappear.

Why there is no global off switch

Google treats AI Overview as a feature that improves search results for most people, so it has not built a master setting to disable it across your account. Unlike some other Google Search features — such as SafeSearch or the ability to filter by date — there is no checkbox in your Google Account settings or Search settings page that turns off AI Overview permanently.

Google does collect feedback when you hide AI Overview on individual searches, and that data may influence how often the feature appears to you over time. However, this is different from an explicit opt-out. If you want more control, your options are limited to hiding it per search or using technical workarounds that affect your entire browsing experience.

Technical workarounds that affect other features

Some users have found that disabling JavaScript in their browser prevents AI Overview from loading. However, this also breaks many other Google Search features and most modern websites. To disable JavaScript in Chrome, open Settings, go to Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then JavaScript, and toggle it off. This is not practical for everyday use because it will make many sites unusable.

Certain browser extensions designed to block AI features may also prevent AI Overview from appearing, but these extensions can interfere with other parts of Google Search or slow down your browser. If you go this route, test the extension on a few searches first to make sure it does not break anything else you rely on.

Differences between devices and browsers

AI Overview behavior varies depending on whether you are on desktop, mobile, or a tablet, and which browser you use. On Google's own Chrome browser, AI Overview may appear more consistently than on Firefox or Safari. If you hide AI Overview on Chrome on your laptop, that preference does not carry over to Chrome on your phone — each device maintains its own search history and feedback.

Clearing your browser cache, cookies, or search history will also reset any feedback you have given Google about hiding AI Overview. After you clear this data, AI Overview may start appearing again on searches where it previously did not show up.

What happens if you do nothing

If you never hide AI Overview, Google will continue to show it on searches where it determines a summary would be useful. You can still click through to individual web pages as you always have — the AI Overview sits above the regular search results and does not prevent you from accessing the full pages. Ignoring the feature does not change how Google Search works otherwise.

Some people find AI Overview helpful for quick answers, while others find it intrusive or inaccurate. Your comfort with it is personal, and choosing not to hide it does not lock you into anything permanent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hiding AI Overview on one search affect other searches?

No. Hiding AI Overview on a single search result tells Google you do not want to see it for that particular query, but it does not create a blanket preference. You may still see AI Overview on other searches, and you may see it again on the same search topic if you search from a different device or after clearing your browser data.

Can I disable AI Overview in my Google Account settings?

No. Google does not offer an account-level setting to turn off AI Overview. You can only hide it on individual searches. If you want more permanent control, you would need to use a technical workaround like disabling JavaScript, but that affects your entire browsing experience.

Will AI Overview come back if I clear my browser history?

Yes. Clearing your browser cache and cookies erases the feedback you have given Google about hiding AI Overview. After you clear this data, AI Overview may reappear on searches where you previously hid it.

Does disabling AI Overview work the same way on mobile and desktop?

The process is similar — you tap or click the menu icon next to the AI Overview box — but the option may be labeled slightly differently depending on your device and browser. More importantly, hiding it on your phone does not hide it on your laptop, because each device has its own search history and preferences.

What if the hide option does not appear next to AI Overview?

The menu icon may not be visible on all devices or browsers. Try tapping or clicking directly on the AI Overview box itself, or look for a small icon in the top right corner of the summary. If you still cannot find it, try using a different browser or device to see if the option appears there.