How to Turn Off AI Mode in Google (2026 Guide)

There's no single official "off" switch for Google AI Mode, but you can reliably remove it using the -ai search modifier, the udm=14 URL parameter, the Search Labs toggle, or a dedicated browser extension. The udm=14 method combined with an extension is the most permanent, no-effort fix.

I'll be honest with you.

The first time an AI Overview took over my entire screen, I didn't ask for it. I just wanted a quick answer, and instead I got a wall of AI-generated text sitting on top of the actual web results I was trying to reach.

So I did what any obsessive researcher does. I went down the rabbit hole — and actually tested every method below myself across Chrome, Safari, and Firefox before writing this.

Here's what works, what doesn't, and exactly how to set it up.

What Is Google AI Mode, Really?

Before you turn something off, you should know what you're actually turning off. Fair enough, right?

Google AI Mode refers to the deeper integration of generative AI — specifically Google's Gemini model — into the search experience. Instead of scrolling through 10 blue links, you get a conversational, chatbot-style answer sitting right at the top.

Here's the part that trips people up: AI Mode and AI Overviews are not the same thing, even though everyone (including me, sometimes) uses the terms interchangeably.

AI Mode vs. AI Overviews: The Difference

• AI Overviews — short, automatic AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of your regular results
• AI Mode — a dedicated, full conversational search tab/experience, separate from the standard results page

Both eat up screen space. Both can be inaccurate. Both are exactly why you're here.

Related reading: if you're curious how deep this shift really goes, check out How AI is Changing SEO in 2025: Trends You Can't Ignore — it breaks down what AI-driven search means for how you find (and lose) information online.

Why People Are Desperate to Disable Google AI Overviews

You're not alone in this, not even close.

I've talked to writers, researchers, developers — even my own family members — who all say some version of the same thing: the AI answers are distracting, they push down organic search results, and sometimes they're just... off.

A few of the biggest complaints I keep running into:

• They take up most of the screen on both desktop and mobile
• They can provide incomplete or inaccurate information
• They reduce visibility for the actual websites that did the work to earn a ranking
• They quietly collect more search personalization data to function well

If any of that resonates with you, keep reading.

Comparison: Every Method, Side by Side

I tested all five methods personally. Here's how they actually stack up:

MethodEase of SetupPermanenceWorks OnMy Verdict-ai modifierInstantPer-search onlyDesktop + mobileFastest, but you must type it every timeudm=14 parameterEasy (one-time bookmark/custom search engine)PermanentDesktop + mobileMost reliable overallSearch Labs toggleModerateSemi-permanentGoogle app, Chrome AndroidNot always available to every accountBrowser extensionEasy installPermanentChrome, FirefoxBest "set and forget" optionSwitch engine/browserRequires habit changePermanentAll platformsBest for privacy-first users

Method 1: The "-ai" Search Modifier (Fastest Fix)

This one's ridiculously simple, and it's my personal go-to when I'm in a hurry.

Just add -ai to the end of any query. So instead of searching "best carbon steel pans," you'd search:

best carbon steel pans -ai

That's it. Google still respects this modifier as of this writing, and it strips the AI Overview clean out of your results.

The catch? You have to remember to type it every single time.

Method 2: The udm=14 URL Parameter (Most Reliable)

If you want something that works like clockwork, this is it.

Adding &udm=14 to the end of any Google search URL forces Google into its classic Web filter — meaning traditional search results only, no AI Overview, no clutter.

This parameter has been active since May 2024, and it still works reliably today. You can set it up as a custom search engine in Chrome so it applies automatically, every time.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up udm=14 in Chrome

1. Open Chrome and go to Settings
2. Click Search engine → Manage search engines
3. Add a new search engine with the URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14
4. Set it as your default

Do that once, and you're basically done forever.

Method 3: Turning Off AI Mode Directly in Search Labs

This is the closest thing to an "official" toggle, and it lives inside Search Labs.

On the Google App (iOS or Android)

1. Open the Google app
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right
3. Tap Search Labs
4. Find AI Mode and toggle it off
5. Sign out and back in to refresh your session

On Chrome for Android

1. Open Chrome
2. Type chrome://flags into the address bar
3. Search for AI Mode
4. Set it to Disabled
5. Relaunch the browser

Heads-up: if AI Mode is nowhere to be found in your Labs page, it usually means either you were never opted in, or Google has already rolled the feature into everyone's default experience.

Method 4: Browser Extensions That Do the Work For You

Honestly? If you want a true "set it and forget it" solution, this is where I'd point you — and where my own testing showed the least ongoing effort.

A few open-source browser extensions worth knowing about:

• unAI: Hide Google AI Overviews — lets you choose between the udm=14 method and the -ai modifier, applied automatically
• "Bye Bye, Google AI" — built by former Tom's Hardware editor Avram Piltch; hides AI Overviews, the AI Mode tab, and extra panels
• Hide Google AI Overviews — widely-used, open-source, available for Chrome and Firefox

Method 5: Switch Your Search Engine or Browser Entirely

Sometimes the cleanest solution is the most obvious one.

In my testing, Safari and Firefox showed noticeably fewer AI Overviews than Chrome by default. And DuckDuckGo lets you configure how often AI summaries show up, while respecting your privacy far more than Google does.

If you're open to trying an AI-native alternative on your own terms rather than avoiding AI entirely, our comprehensive guide to iAsk.ai covers a search engine that puts AI answers front and center — but as an opt-in choice, not a forced layer on top of your results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off AI Mode also disable Google Assistant?

No. AI Mode and AI Overviews are separate from Google Assistant, which runs on different settings entirely.

Is there an official Google setting to permanently disable AI Overviews?

Not currently. Google treats AI Overviews as a core Search feature, not an optional toggle, so all current methods are workarounds rather than official settings.

Will these methods stop working if Google updates Search?

Possibly. udm=14 has held up since 2024, but Google could change triggers at any time — this is why extensions with active maintainers tend to be more future-proof than manual tricks.

Does this work the same way on a Google Workspace (business) account?

Not always. Search Labs availability and AI Mode rollout can differ on managed Workspace accounts versus personal Google accounts, so the toggle may be controlled by an admin.

Which method should I actually use?

For most people: set up udm=14 as your default search engine, then install a browser extension as backup. That combination covered every gap in my own testing.

My Honest Take

I don't think AI Overviews are evil. They're useful sometimes, especially for quick factual lookups.

But you should have the choice. Set up the udm=14 parameter with a browser extension as backup, and you've built yourself a permanent, AI-free version of Google Search — one that respects how you want to browse.