How to Disable Generative AI Search Results on Google

Are you tired of seeing AI-generated content creep into your Google searches? Do you long for the days of reliable, factual results that you can trust? Well, fear not, fellow searcher! Today, we’re going to show you how to easily disable Generative AI in Google Search and reclaim control over your search experience.

Google’s Generative AI, also known as Bard or Search Labs, is a new feature that uses artificial intelligence to generate additional content alongside traditional search results. This can include things like:

• Summaries of websites: AI-written summaries of webpages to give you a quick overview.
• Creative text formats: AI-generated poems, code, scripts, and more based on your search query.
• Experimental features: Google occasionally tests new AI-powered features like visual search suggestions or interactive search experiences.

Generative AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is a technology that allows machines to generate content, such as text, images, or even entire web pages, without human intervention. In the context of Google Search, Generative AI is used to create snippets, short descriptions that appear under search results, and can sometimes generate full search results.

Generative AI models, like GPT-3, are trained on vast amounts of text data. These models use this training to generate responses or content that resemble human-generated text. Google has been using Generative AI to enhance the search experience by generating quick answers, auto-complete suggestions, and even entire search results.

While Generative AI can be a powerful tool for enhancing search results, there are several reasons why some users may want to disable it:

1. Relevance: Generative AI-generated content may not always be relevant to the user’s query. This can lead to frustration and wasted time.
2. Quality: The quality of AI-generated content varies, and it may not always meet the standards of accuracy, reliability, or trustworthiness that users expect from Google.
3. Privacy: Some users are concerned about the privacy implications of AI generating content that might not respect their privacy or data security.
4. Personal Preference: Many users simply prefer traditional search results that are curated by humans or algorithms that they can understand and trust.

Now that you know why you might want to disable Generative AI, let’s get down to business! Here’s how to do it on both desktop and mobile devices:

1. Open a new tab in Chrome and make sure you’re signed in to your Google account.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the browser window and select “Settings.”
3. Scroll down and click on “Privacy and security” in the left-hand menu.
4. Click on “Search Settings” and then click on “Manage Search Experiments.”
5. You’ll see a list of all the active Search Labs experiments. Find the ones related to Generative AI, such as “Search Generative Experience” or “Code Tips,” and toggle them off.
6. Click on “Save” and you’re done! Generative AI will now be disabled in your Google searches.

1. Open the Google app on your phone or tablet.
2. Tap on the three lines in the top left corner of the app to open the menu.
3. Scroll down and tap on “Settings.”
4. Tap on “Search” and then tap on “Manage Search Experiments.”
5. You’ll see a list of all the active Search Labs experiments. Find the ones related to Generative AI, such as “Show visual search results” or “Show visual search suggestions,” and toggle them off.
6. Tap on “Save” and Generative AI will now be disabled in your Google searches on your mobile device.

Another way to disable Generative AI search results is by using browser extensions. These extensions are available for popular browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Some examples of browser extensions that can help you achieve this include:

• AI Away: This extension allows you to toggle AI-generated search results on and off.
• Search Filter: Search Filter gives you control over the types of search results you see, including those generated by AI.

Installing one of these extensions can help you tailor your search results to your preferences.

Let’s look at some real-life examples to illustrate why users might want to disable Generative AI search results:

Example 1: Medical Information

Imagine you are searching for information about a specific medical condition. When Generative AI generates search results, you might receive contradictory or inaccurate information, which could be detrimental to your health. Disabling AI-generated results can ensure you receive information from trusted medical sources.

Example 2: Academic Research

If you are a student or researcher looking for academic articles and papers, AI-generated snippets might not provide the depth and accuracy required for your work. Disabling AI-generated results can help you find credible academic sources.

Example 3: News and Current Events

In the realm of news and current events, AI-generated content can sometimes misrepresent facts or provide biased information. Disabling AI-generated results can help you access reliable news sources.

As with any technology-related decision, disabling Generative AI search results on Google has its pros and cons. Let’s examine them.

Pros

• Relevance: Disabling AI-generated results can improve the relevance of your search results, reducing the likelihood of receiving irrelevant or contradictory information.
• Quality Control: You have more control over the quality of the content you access, ensuring it meets your standards for accuracy and reliability.
• Privacy: Some users may feel more at ease knowing that AI is not generating search results for their queries, addressing privacy concerns.

Cons

• Reduced Automation: AI-generated results can be helpful for quick answers and suggestions. Disabling them means you lose some of the automation Google offers.
• Limited Variety: AI-generated results can sometimes introduce diversity and alternative perspectives. Disabling them may limit the range of information you encounter.

In conclusion, the ability to disable Generative AI search results on Google gives users more control over their search experience. This control comes with the trade-off of potentially limiting the variety of results and the automation that AI can provide. Whether you choose to disable AI-generated results or not ultimately depends on your preferences, the nature of your searches, and your trust in AI-generated content.

Remember that technology evolves, and AI algorithms improve over time. Therefore, it’s essential to periodically reassess your search preferences and adapt them to the changing digital landscape.

So, go ahead, explore your search settings, try out browser extensions, or switch to alternative search engines if you’re looking for a more traditional search experience. The power to shape your online search journey is in your hands.

Don’t hesitate to share your experiences and preferences with others, as this can help users make informed decisions about disabling Generative AI search results.

Disabled AI for a more traditional search experience? Let us know how it’s working for you in the comments below!