Google’s AI search tool has not been removed. The company continues to bring it into the search experience and says it now reaches over 2 billion users each month, according to figures released in July. What has caused confusion is that although the feature is everywhere, there is no single switch to turn it off.
Andrew G. Hatchett, a Google Product Expert who has been advising people on Google products since 2015, explained that on iPhones, users can toggle off “Show Gemini” under the app’s voice settings. While this does not erase AI results completely, it reduces their presence. People can also tap the “Web” tab in search to see the older style of blue links.
Others try different browsers. Safari or Firefox can sometimes avoid showing AI overviews, although this is not always consistent on mobile devices. In short, Google has made the feature central to search, and users are left to find workarounds.
What Options Do Users Have?
One of the most popular tools for desktop users is an extension called “Bye Bye, Google AI”. It has around 60,000 users and holds a rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 332 reviews. The extension hides AI overviews and other blocks of content such as shopping results, sponsored links or discussion panels.
It works on Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, Brave and Vivaldi. After installation, users can pick which parts of Google Search they want hidden. The default option hides AI summaries but menus allow people to block video panels, “people also ask” sections or shopping blocks as well.
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The extension has its limits… it only hides the content through CSS and can break whenever Google updates its search page design. Developers then need to patch it. Even so, many people keep it installed because it gives them more control over what shows up when they search.
There’s also the option to type “-ai” at the end of every search, so Google doesn’t bring up results using their AI feature.
Why Do People Want To Turn It Off?
Google says AI overviews improve searches, but many people complain that they get in the way. The system has been caught serving inaccurate answers both during testing and after launch.
There is also tension between Google and third-party sites. Instead of directing clicks outward, the summaries keep people on Google’s page. Publishers are against the fact that this undercuts the traffic they need. Because AI results often appear before traditional links, fewer users scroll down to see original articles.
Some find the tool convenient because it brings answers quickly and is helpful for quick comparisons or shopping. Others say it feels like a barrier to the information they actually want. This split has driven demand for browser tools that strip out the AI content.
Will Google Ever Allow A Switch?
Right now, Google has not announced any option to turn the feature off completely. Hatchett has said that the tool is tied deeply into the search system, which leaves people having to use browser extensions or settings tricks instead of an official toggle.
The company is also rolling out new layers of AI such as “AI Mode”, which allows longer interactions within search. Its Chrome browser is also being reworked as an “AI-first” browser. These moves show that the company is committed to building AI into the heart of its products.
Otherwise, to answer the question in short: Google’s AI search is not gone. It is active and people who dislike it will have to choose between adjusting to it, switching search engines or leaning on extensions to cut it down.
