Google AI Overview is the AI-generated summary that appears at the top of some Google Search results

Google AI Overview is a box of AI-written text that Google shows above the regular search results on some queries. It pulls information from multiple websites and summarizes it for you. If you do not want to see it, you can turn it off in your search settings — it takes about 30 seconds.

Google started rolling out AI Overview in May 2024 and has been adding it to more searches since then. It appears on roughly half of searches, depending on what you are looking for. Some people find it useful; others find it cluttered or prefer to read the original sources themselves. Either way, you control whether you see it.

Key Takeaways

  • AI Overview appears as a gray box at the top of Google Search results and summarizes information from multiple websites.
  • You can disable it by going to Google Search Settings and unchecking the AI Overview toggle under "Results".
  • Turning it off takes effect when ready across all your searches on that browser and account.
  • You can turn it back on the same way if you change your mind later.

How to disable AI Overview on desktop

Open Google Search in your web browser and go to google.com. Look for the gear icon in the top right corner of the page and click it. A dropdown menu will appear — select Settings.

On the Settings page, look for the section labeled Results on the left side. Under that section, you will see a toggle for Google AI Overview. Click the toggle to turn it off. The page will save automatically — you do not need to click a separate save button.

Once you turn it off, AI Overview will no longer appear on your search results. The change applies to your Google account, so it will carry over to any device where you are signed in with that account.

How to disable AI Overview on your phone

Open the Google Search app or go to google.com in your mobile browser. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears.

Tap General, then look for Google AI Overview. Tap the toggle to turn it off. The setting saves when ready, and AI Overview will stop appearing in your mobile search results.

If you use both the Google Search app and the mobile browser on your phone, the setting applies to both as long as you are signed into the same Google account.

What happens when you disable it

When you turn off AI Overview, Google Search returns to showing only the traditional blue-link results and other features like images, news, and shopping results. The AI-generated box straightforward disappears from the top of the page.

Disabling it does not change how Google ranks websites or how search results are ordered. It only removes the summary box. Your search results will look the way they did before Google started rolling out AI Overview.

How to turn AI Overview back on

If you disable AI Overview and later decide you want to see it again, go back to the same Settings page. Find the Google AI Overview toggle under Results and click it to turn it back on. The change takes effect when ready.

You can switch it on and off as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you can change this setting.

Why you might want to disable it

Some people turn off AI Overview because they prefer to read the original sources directly rather than a summary. Others find the extra box takes up screen space, especially on phones. Some users have concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated summaries or prefer to evaluate sources themselves.

The choice is yours — Google built the toggle specifically so you can decide whether to see it. If you find yourself never reading the AI Overview box, turning it off gives you more room for the search results you actually use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling AI Overview affect my search results or rankings?

No. Turning off AI Overview only removes the summary box from the top of your results page. The websites that appear below it, their order, and all other search features remain exactly the same.

Will my setting explore to all my devices?

Yes, as long as you are signed into the same Google account on each device. If you use multiple Google accounts or browse without signing in, you will need to change the setting separately for each account or browser.

Can I disable AI Overview for just one search?

Not directly. You can turn off the setting globally in Settings, or you can straightforward ignore the AI Overview box and click on the regular search results below it. There is no per-search toggle.

What if I do not see the AI Overview toggle in Settings?

Google is still rolling out AI Overview to all users. If you do not see the toggle yet, it means your account has not received the feature. The toggle will appear in Settings once Google enables it for you.

Does disabling it on my phone also disable it on my computer?

Yes, because the setting is tied to your Google account, not to individual devices. Changing it on your phone changes it everywhere you are signed in.