Google users have found a new way to avoid having an AI overview in their search results due to the many issues with the overview.
A Redditor shared the new method on 10 June, which was highly appreciated by other Redditors, many of which have been searching for a way to avoid the feature.
A long search for a solution
Google AI Overview in search was introduced in 2024 to provide a summary of whatever a user was looking for.
The idea was to reduce effort in searching by eliminating the need to click on several links in search of answers as was the case before now.
While it was well received at first, the experience eventually became different, as most of the summaries from such overviews were either inaccurate or plainly wrong.
Since then, Googlers have sought for a way to prevent the feature from working completely to avoid being misled.
Earlier this year, they found one solution, which was to use curse words in searches. This effectively turns the feature off and the feedback is without the overview.
As there is search for more answers however, the new solution is to add ‘-ai’ to your search query on Google.
By doing that, you’re telling the system to exempt the AI overview in the feedback you receive for the query, and that seems to work.
For example, compare the outcome in the two screenshots in the link embedded below.
A chore
The catch is that you’ll have to include ‘-a’ in every of your search queries to work. There’s still a quest for a more permanent solution, such as Google making it optional and giving the option to turn the feature off.
That seems to be a solution far from the current reality though, as a Google employee says the company doesn’t care.
ReadNext
