You can disable AI Overview in Google Search through your account settings, though the option to turn it off entirely depends on your region and whether Google is still testing the feature in your area.
Google's AI Overview (formerly called Search Generative Experience) summarizes search results using artificial intelligence and appears at the top of many search pages. If you prefer traditional search results without the AI summary, you have a few ways to reduce or remove it. The simplest method is through your Google account settings, though some regions still have limited control over the feature.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you want to disable it permanently or just for individual searches. Some users find the AI summary helpful for quick answers, while others find it clutters the page or prefer to read sources directly. Understanding your options helps you search the way that works best for you.
Key Takeaways
- You can turn off AI Overview in Google Search settings under "Search Generative Experience" if the toggle appears in your region.
- Disabling the feature in settings removes AI summaries from most searches, though some searches may still show them depending on your location.
- You can hide individual AI Overview results by clicking the three-dot menu on the summary itself and selecting "Hide this".
- If the setting does not appear in your account, Google may still be testing the feature in your area or has not yet rolled out the toggle.
- Using Google Search Labs (accessible from your account menu) sometimes gives you earlier access to disable experimental features.
Disable AI Overview through Google Account Settings
Open Google Search on any device and sign into your Google account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Settings". From the Settings menu, look for "Search Generative Experience" or "AI Overview" — the exact name varies by region. If you see a toggle switch next to it, click to turn it off.
After you disable it, AI summaries should stop appearing on most of your searches. The change takes effect immediately across all your devices where you are signed in. If you do not see this setting, scroll down in the Settings menu or check under "Advanced" options, as Google places it in different locations depending on your region and account type.
Keep in mind that even after disabling the setting, you may occasionally see AI-generated summaries on certain searches, particularly for news topics or very recent events. This happens because Google tests the feature on specific query types even when you have turned it off globally. If this occurs, you can hide individual summaries using the method described below.
Hide Individual AI Overview Results
When an AI Overview appears on a search result page, look for a three-dot menu icon (⋯) in the top right corner of the summary box. Click that menu and select "Hide this" or "Don't show AI Overview for this search". Google will remove that particular summary from your results.
This method does not permanently disable the feature — it only hides that one instance. Use this approach when you want to keep AI Overview enabled overall but occasionally prefer to see traditional results for specific searches. If you find yourself hiding summaries frequently, disabling the feature entirely through settings is more efficient.
Check Google Search Labs for Early Control Options
Google Search Labs is an experimental features section where Google tests new tools before rolling them out widely. To access it, sign into Google Search, click your profile picture, and look for "Labs" in the menu. If AI Overview controls appear there before they are available in main settings, you can toggle the feature on or off from that section.
Search Labs changes regularly as Google tests and releases features. The AI Overview toggle may appear there first in some regions, giving you control before the standard settings option becomes available. Check back periodically if you do not see the setting in your main account settings yet.
Why AI Overview Might Still Appear After You Disable It
Google is still rolling out AI Overview globally, and the feature behaves differently depending on your location, account type, and the type of search you perform. Even after disabling it, you may see summaries on certain queries because Google tests the feature on specific categories like news, shopping, or local results.
Additionally, if you use Google Search without signing in, the setting does not apply — you would see AI Overview based on Google's default settings for unsigned users. Signing in ensures your preference is recognized across searches. If you consistently see AI Overview despite disabling it, your region may still be in a testing phase where Google has not yet fully implemented the toggle.
Disable AI Overview on Mobile Devices
The process on mobile is nearly identical to desktop. Open the Google Search app or visit Google.com in your browser, tap your profile picture, and select "Settings". Scroll to find "Search Generative Experience" or "AI Overview" and toggle it off. The setting syncs across all your devices, so disabling it on mobile also disables it on desktop and vice versa.
Some Android users report the setting appearing in the Google app settings rather than in Search settings specifically. If you cannot find it in Search settings, open the Google app itself, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, and look for search-related options there. The exact location varies by device and Android version.
What Happens When You Disable AI Overview
Disabling AI Overview removes the AI-generated summary box from the top of your search results. You will see the traditional list of web results, news articles, images, and other sources instead. Search results load at the same speed — turning off AI Overview does not make searches faster or slower, since Google generates the summary separately from the main results.
Your search history and other Google Search settings remain unchanged. Disabling AI Overview only affects whether summaries appear; it does not change how Google indexes pages, ranks results, or stores your search data. You can re-enable the feature at any time by returning to settings and toggling it back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling AI Overview affect my search results or rankings?
No. Turning off AI Overview only removes the summary box at the top of the page. The web results below remain the same, and your search history is unaffected. Google still ranks and displays pages normally — you are simply choosing not to see the AI summary.
Will AI Overview come back if I clear my browser cache?
No. Your setting is stored in your Google account, not in your browser cache. Clearing cache, cookies, or browsing data will not re-enable AI Overview. The setting persists as long as you remain signed into your Google account.
Can I disable AI Overview for specific types of searches only?
Not through settings — the toggle is all or nothing. However, you can hide individual summaries as they appear using the three-dot menu on each AI Overview box. If you want fine-grained control, hiding summaries one at a time is your only option.
What if the AI Overview setting does not appear in my account?
Google rolls out features by region and account type. If you do not see the toggle, your region may still be in testing or Google has not yet released the control in your area. Check Google Search Labs, or wait a few weeks and check settings again. You can still hide individual summaries using the three-dot menu.
Does disabling AI Overview work on Google Images or Google Maps?
The AI Overview setting applies to Google Search results only. Google Images and Google Maps have separate features and settings. If you see AI summaries in those products, they are controlled through different menus in those specific apps or websites.