Google’s AI Summaries Annoying You? Here’s a Simple Trick to Get Rid of Them
Many people find Google’s AI-generated summaries popping up at the top of search results more frustrating than helpful. These overviews pull together information from various sites and present it in a quick block, but they often push down the actual links users want to click. Instead of getting straight to reliable sources, searchers end up scrolling past AI content that sometimes contains inaccuracies or oversimplifications. The feature has become a common complaint since it rolled out widely, with no official toggle to disable it completely from Google. Luckily, a clever workaround lets you bypass these summaries without changing your search habits too much.
The easiest method involves adding a small modifier to the end of your query. Simply type your normal search terms and then append an en dash followed by “ai,” like this: –ai. This uses Google’s own exclusion operator, which normally removes pages containing a specific word. In practice, attaching –ai (or even –1, –z, or similar random characters after the dash) disrupts the AI summary from appearing, leaving you with traditional web links. It works reliably on desktop browsers and even on Android devices through the Google app or Chrome. The trick exploits how the system processes negative terms, though experts note it might be an unintended loophole that could disappear in future updates.
For those who prefer not to tweak every search, another quick option exists right on the results page. After your query loads, look just below the search bar for tabs like “All,” “Images,” or “News.” Click on the “Web” tab, which may appear under a “More” dropdown on some layouts. Selecting this filter strips away the AI overview along with other extras like videos or knowledge panels, showing only plain website links. This method requires one extra click per search but avoids altering your input string. It remains effective across platforms, though visibility of the tab can vary slightly depending on your device and region.
Mobile experiences differ a bit, especially on iOS. In Safari or the Google app on iPhone, the –ai trick often fails to hide the summary consistently. However, some users report a “Classic Search” button appearing on the right side of results, which reloads the page with a blend of web pages and short clips instead of the full AI block. On Android phones like the Google Pixel, the dash method tends to perform better without extra steps. If you’re tired of fiddling, consider switching your default search engine to alternatives like DuckDuckGo or Brave. These platforms offer built-in settings to control or disable AI-generated answers entirely, giving you more predictable results without workarounds.
Google maintains that most users find searches more useful with AI overviews and return to the engine more frequently because of them. Company representatives have compared the feature to longstanding elements like knowledge panels, suggesting it’s here to stay as an integral part. Still, for anyone prioritizing direct sources and avoiding potential errors in summarized content, these simple adjustments make a big difference. Past incidents where AI outputs suggested bizarre advice highlight why many prefer verifying information themselves from original pages.
Have you tried any tricks to skip Google’s AI summaries, and which method works best for your daily searches? Share your thoughts in the comments.
