Have you noticed Google Chrome getting a little "smarter" lately? With the integration of generative AI features, Google is aiming to enhance your Browse experience, offering quick summaries, AI-powered search results, and more. While this can be incredibly helpful for some, others might find these AI overviews and suggestions intrusive, inaccurate, or simply prefer the classic search experience. If you're in the latter camp, you're in the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to turn off or significantly reduce the presence of generative AI features on Google Chrome.
Let's dive in and take back control of your Browse!
Step 1: Understand What Generative AI in Chrome Means for You
Before we start tweaking settings, it's important to understand what "generative AI" in Google Chrome refers to. Currently, the most prominent manifestation of this is "AI Overviews" in Google Search results, often appearing at the top of the page with a summary of information. Google is also experimenting with other AI features, such as "AI Mode" in Search Labs and potentially more direct integrations within the browser itself (like Gemini in Chrome).
Why might you want to turn these off?
Accuracy Concerns: AI models, while powerful, can sometimes generate inaccurate or misleading information.
Clutter: The AI overviews can push traditional search results further down, making it harder to find the organic links you're looking for.
Preference for Traditional Search: Many users simply prefer the familiar "10 blue links" experience.
Privacy Considerations: While Google states data isn't used to improve AI models for enterprise users, some users might have general concerns about AI processing their queries.
Now that we're on the same page, let's explore the methods!
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| How To Turn Off Generative Ai On Google Chrome |
Step 2: Utilizing Chrome's Built-in Settings for Search
While there isn't a single, definitive "Turn off all AI" toggle in Chrome (yet!), you can significantly modify your search experience to minimize AI overviews.
Sub-heading: Method A: Customizing Your Default Search Engine for an AI-Free Experience
This method involves creating a custom search engine entry in Chrome that automatically appends a specific parameter to your Google searches, effectively telling Google to show you traditional web results without AI overviews.
Open Chrome Settings:
Click on the three vertical dots (More) in the top-right corner of your Chrome browser.
Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
Navigate to Search Engine Settings:
In the left-hand sidebar, click on "Search engine."
Then, click on "Manage search engines and site search."
Add a New Search Engine:
Scroll down to the "Site search" section.
Click on the "Add" button next to it.
Configure Your AI-Free Search Engine:
You'll see a pop-up window to add a new search engine. Fill it in as follows:
Search engine name: AI-Free Google (or any name you prefer, like "Classic Google")
Shortcut: @web (or any short, memorable keyword, like
ai-off)URL with %s in place of query:
https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14What's
&udm=14? This is the crucial part. It's a Google parameter that requests the "web" version of search results, which typically excludes AI overviews.
Save and Make Default (Optional but Recommended):
Click "Add" to save your new search engine.
Back on the "Manage search engines and site search" page, find your newly added "AI-Free Google" (or whatever you named it).
Click on the three vertical dots next to it and select "Make default."
Voila! Now, whenever you search from Chrome's address bar, it will use your AI-free Google search, significantly reducing the appearance of AI overviews.
Tip: Let the key ideas stand out.
Sub-heading: Method B: Directly Accessing the "Web" Tab in Google Search Results
This method is simpler but requires an extra click for each search.
Perform a Regular Google Search:
Type your query into the Chrome address bar and press Enter.
Look for the "Web" Tab:
On the Google search results page, you'll see various tabs below the search bar (e.g., All, Images, Videos, News).
Swipe left on these tabs (on mobile) or look for a "Web" tab. On desktop, it might be under a "More" or three-dot menu, or directly visible.
Click on the "Web" tab. This will filter your results to show only traditional web pages, without the AI overview.
Step 3: Leveraging Chrome Extensions for More Robust Control
For those who want a more automatic and comprehensive way to hide AI overviews, Chrome extensions are a powerful tool.
Open the Chrome Web Store:
In Chrome, type
chrome://extensionsinto the address bar and press Enter.Click on the three horizontal lines (Main menu) in the top-left corner.
Select "Open Chrome Web Store."
Alternatively, you can directly go to:
https://chromewebstore.google.com/
Search for AI Blocking Extensions:
In the Web Store search bar, type in terms like:
"Hide Google AI Overviews"
"Disable AI Overview"
"Bye, Bye Google AI"
"Chrome Google AI Results Opt Out"
Choose and Install an Extension:
Read the reviews and descriptions carefully to pick an extension that suits your needs. Some popular options include "Hide Google AI Overviews" or "Bye, Bye Google AI."
Click on the extension you want.
Click the "Add to Chrome" button.
Confirm the installation when prompted.
Configure the Extension (if applicable):
Many extensions will have a small icon appear in your Chrome toolbar.
Click on this icon. Some extensions offer options to customize what they hide (e.g., only AI overviews, or also "People Also Ask" sections, sponsored links, etc.). Adjust these settings to your preference.
Be aware: While extensions are effective, they rely on the developer to keep them updated as Google changes its search page layout. If AI overviews start appearing again, check for extension updates or explore alternative extensions.
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Step 4: Disabling "AI Overviews and more" in Google Search Labs (if you opted in)
If you previously opted into Google's "Search Labs" and enabled the "AI Overviews and more" experiment (formerly Search Generative Experience or SGE), you can turn this off directly.
Go to Google Search Labs:
Open your Chrome browser and make sure you are signed in to your Google Account (and not in Incognito mode).
Navigate to:
https://labs.google.com/search/manage
Toggle Off "AI Overviews and more":
On this page, you will see a card for "AI Overviews and more."
Simply toggle the switch to the "Off" position.
Important Note: Turning this off in Search Labs will disable the experimental, expanded AI overviews you opted into. However, it will not disable all AI Overviews if they are part of Google Search's default behavior for certain queries, similar to how knowledge panels appear. For those, the methods in Step 2 and 3 are more effective.
Step 5: Addressing Other Potential AI Integrations (Less Common for End Users)
While AI Overviews are the most common concern, Google is continually integrating AI. Here's what else to keep in mind:
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
Sub-heading: Chrome's Built-in AI Features (Developer Focused)
For advanced users or developers, Chrome has some built-in AI APIs (like Prompt API, Summarizer API) that leverage models like Gemini Nano. These are primarily for developers to build AI-powered features into web applications or Chrome extensions.
To check or disable these (though unlikely to be affecting your general Browse unless you're a developer testing them):
Type
chrome://flagsinto your address bar and press Enter.Search for flags related to "AI," "Gemini Nano," or "Prompt API."
You can change their status from "Default" to "Disabled" if you wish, then relaunch Chrome.
Caution: Changing flags can sometimes lead to unexpected browser behavior. Only do this if you understand the implications.
Sub-heading: Google Assistant and Other Google App AI
If you're using Chrome on a mobile device (Android/iOS) and find AI suggestions popping up outside of the browser (e.g., from your phone's search bar or Google app), you might need to adjust settings within the Google app or your device's system settings.
On Android:
Go to your phone's Settings app.
Tap on "Apps" or "Apps & notifications."
Find and tap on "Google" or "Google Assistant."
Look for options to disable or customize "Assistant settings," "Voice Match," or "General." Turning off Google Assistant can reduce many proactive AI suggestions.
Step 6: Maintain and Monitor
Google's AI integrations are constantly evolving. What works today might need minor adjustments tomorrow.
Regularly Check for Updates: Keep your Chrome browser and any AI-blocking extensions updated to ensure they remain effective.
Provide Feedback: If you encounter problematic AI overviews or find a feature disruptive, use the feedback options provided by Google (often a thumbs-up/thumbs-down icon next to AI results) to let them know your preferences.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on tech news outlets for announcements regarding new AI features in Chrome and how to manage them.
By following these steps, you can tailor your Google Chrome experience to significantly reduce or eliminate the presence of generative AI, giving you more control over your search results and Browse.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to turn off AI Overviews permanently?
There isn't a single "permanent" toggle in Chrome to disable all AI Overviews, as some are now integrated into Google Search's default behavior. However, setting up a custom search engine with &udm=14 (as described in Step 2A) or using a dedicated Chrome extension (Step 3) are the most effective ways to consistently avoid them.
Tip: Summarize each section in your own words.
How to remove Google Bard suggestions in Chrome?
Google Bard suggestions primarily appear if you're directly interacting with Bard or if "AI Overviews and more" is enabled in Search Labs. Disabling the Search Labs experiment (Step 4) and ensuring you're not using Bard directly will typically remove these suggestions.
How to stop Google AI assistant from popping up?
If you're referring to Google Assistant on your mobile device, you'll need to go into your phone's system settings (Android: Settings > Apps > Google/Assistant) and disable or modify Google Assistant's behavior. This is typically an OS-level setting, not purely a Chrome one.
How to block AI-generated answers in Google Search?
The most effective methods are creating a custom search engine with &udm=14 as a URL parameter (Step 2A) or installing a Chrome extension specifically designed to hide AI Overviews (Step 3).
How to revert to classic Google search results?
The custom search engine method with &udm=14 (Step 2A) is designed precisely for this purpose, providing the traditional "10 blue links" experience. You can also manually click the "Web" tab on Google search results pages (Step 2B).
How to disable AI features on Chrome mobile?
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
On mobile, the &udm=14 trick for custom search engines (if you set it as default on desktop and sync settings) can work. Additionally, using websites like tenbluelinks.org (which automatically applies the udm=14 parameter) or installing specific extensions (if your mobile browser supports them, like Firefox on Android) can help.
How to manage Google Chrome's AI settings?
Currently, direct management of built-in AI features for general users is limited. The primary controls are through Google Search Labs for experimental features (Step 4) or by customizing search behavior (Step 2A). Developers have more control over specific AI APIs via chrome://flags.
How to prevent Google AI from using my search data?
While turning off AI overviews hides them, Google still collects search data. To control data usage, review your Google Account's "Data & privacy" settings, specifically "Web & App Activity." You can pause activity saving or set auto-delete options there.
How to use an ad-blocker to hide AI Overviews?
Some advanced ad-blockers like uBlock Origin allow you to create custom filters. You can inspect the Google search results page to find the specific HTML element for the AI Overview and then add a custom filter to hide it (e.g., www.google.com###Odp5De). This method is for more technical users.
How to give feedback about Google's AI features in Chrome?
Google typically includes feedback mechanisms (like thumbs-up/thumbs-down icons) directly on or next to AI Overviews in search results. Clicking these icons allows you to provide direct feedback to Google about the helpfulness or issues with the AI-generated content.
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