Google recently introduced a new feature called AI Overviews at their I/O 2024 event. This feature provides AI-generated answers for certain search queries on Google. Essentially, AI Overviews replaced the Search Generative Experience (SGE) from Search Labs. However, this feature is currently only available for users in the United States. Despite its innovative approach, many users have reported issues with AI Overviews. These issues include providing inaccurate information by referencing less reliable sources. Consequently, some users prefer to turn off AI Overviews on their Google search.
Pic: ideogram
Although Google states that turning off "AI Overview" in Search Labs won't entirely disable all AI-generated answers in Search, there are steps you can follow to avoid seeing these AI-generated answers. Here is a simple guide to help you disable AI Overviews:
Open Your Browser or Google App: Start by opening the Google app, Chrome, or Firefox on your smartphone. Make sure you are not using Incognito mode. This ensures that your settings are saved and applied to your Google account.
Sign In to Your Google Account: Ensure you are signed in to your personal Google Account. Note that these settings are not available for Google Workspace accounts, so you must use a personal account.
Access Search Labs: Once you are signed in, tap on the Labs icon. This icon is typically found in the settings menu of the Google app or within the browser interface.
Manage AI Overview Settings: After accessing Labs, tap on the Manage option. Here, you will see various experimental features provided by Google, including AI Overviews.
Toggle Off AI Overviews: Look for the option labeled "AI Overviews and more" and toggle it off. This should disable the AI-generated answers feature.
By following these steps, you can avoid seeing AI-generated answers in your search results. It’s important to note that while this will reduce the number of AI Overviews you encounter, it may not eliminate them entirely. Google has integrated AI Overviews as a part of its search ecosystem, so complete removal isn't possible at this time.
Why Users Might Want to Disable AI Overviews
There are several reasons why users might prefer to disable AI Overviews. First, AI-generated content can sometimes be inaccurate. Users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit have reported instances where the AI provides incorrect information by citing unreliable sources. This can lead to misinformation and confusion.
Second, some users simply prefer the traditional search experience. They might find AI Overviews intrusive or unnecessary, especially if they are used to sifting through search results on their own to find the most relevant information.
Lastly, privacy concerns might play a role. Some users might be uncomfortable with the idea of AI analyzing their search queries to generate answers, preferring to maintain more control over their search experience.
While AI Overviews in Google Search can be a helpful tool for quickly finding information, it’s not for everyone. If you find that AI Overviews are not meeting your needs or are providing inaccurate information, you can follow the steps outlined above to disable them. This way, you can tailor your Google search experience to better suit your preferences. However, keep in mind that because AI Overviews are deeply integrated into Google Search, completely removing them is not currently an option.