TL;DR The fastest way to remove Google AI Overviews is installing a browser extension like “Hide Google AI Overviews” or “10 Blue Links.” Google says AI Overviews are “a core Google Search feature” and that “features cannot be turned off.” The official workaround is selecting the Web filter, which “displays only text-based links without features like AI Overviews.”
Quick decision: Choose a CSS-hiding extension if you want to remove AI Overviews while keeping rich results like Maps/Images/News. Choose a Web/udm=14 solution if you want the most stable “classic links” view at the cost of losing many widgets by design.
Quick Guide: Best Tools to Hide AI
| Extension / Tool | Method | Removes | Rich Features Kept? | Site Access (Best Practice) | Open Source | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hide Google AI Overviews | CSS Hide | AI Container Only | ✅ Yes | Restrict to Google domains | ✅ Yes | Jul 13, 2025 |
| 10 Blue Links – Remove Google AI summaries | udm=14 | Everything (Text only) | ❌ No | Restrict to Google domains | ✅ Yes (MIT) | Jun 13, 2024 |
| Bye Bye, Google AI | CSS Hide | AI, PAA, Ads (Toggle) | ✅ Yes | Restrict to Google domains | Not Stated | Dec 1, 2025 |
| TenBlueLinks.org Method | Search Engine | Everything (Text only) | ❌ No | N/A (No Extension) | ✅ Yes | N/A |
Note: Update dates pulled from Chrome Web Store listings. Some third-party coverage reports Bye Bye, Google AI has open-source code on GitHub, verify the repository link before relying on that as a trust signal.
Test results (Jan 5, 2026): All tools removed AI Overviews in our test set. The tradeoff is consistent: udm=14 tools also remove many widgets by design (maps, calculator, etc.), while CSS-hiding tools keep rich SERP features but can break when Google changes markup.
Not fan of extensions, looking for ? Check out this for another way? Our guide how to turn off Google AI Overviews.
Top Rated Extensions to Hide AI
If you want a clean SERP without losing Maps/Images/News, use Hide Google AI Overviews. It’s explicitly described as open source on the store listing and links to its GitHub repo.
If you want to remove more than AI Overviews (e.g., PAA, shopping blocks, discussions), use Bye Bye, Google AI. It’s CSS-based (so it can break on UI changes), but it’s recently updated (Dec 1, 2025) and lets you choose what to hide.
If you want maximum stability and don’t care about widgets, use 10 Blue Links. It forces Google’s Web results by appending udm=14, which the extension describes as the mechanism for “classic” results.
Best for Firefox
On Firefox, prefer add-ons with clear ownership/licensing info; listings can look similar even when permissions and policies differ.
| Firefox add-on | Publisher | License | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide Google AI Overviews | Zbarnz | Open source (links out) | Closest “set and forget” option |
| AI Overview Hider for Google | Jonny Buchanan | All Rights Reserved | Works well, but not open-source |
| Remove Google AI Overview | Beetle | (check listing) | Useful fallback if others break |
How These Extensions Work
To choose the right tool, it helps to understand the trade-off between visual hiding and changing the search mode entirely. Most extensions fall into two categories:
- CSS Hiding (e.g., Bye Bye Google AI): This method visually hides the specific
<div>box containing the AI summary. While it preserves rich features like Maps, Images, and News, it is fragile; if Google updates its page layout, the blocker often breaks until updated. - Web Filter (e.g., 10 Blue Links): This method adds
&udm=14to the URL to force Google’s “Web” mode. It is robust because it uses an official feature, but it removes everything except text links, meaning no calculators, weather widgets, or map packs.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to stability versus utility. If you rely on Google’s side widgets for quick answers, stick to a CSS-hiding extension. If you want a distraction-free, “classic” search experience that rarely breaks, the Web filter is the better option.
What is udm=14?
Google documents the Web filter as the text-only view. The udm=14 URL parameter is a widely used shortcut (used by extensions/tools) that typically forces that Web view. Google announced the Web filter on May 14, 2024, and reported it rolling out globally over May 14–15
Are These Extensions Safe?
To hide AI Overviews, an extension usually needs permission to read and modify Google Search pages. That’s normal for this category, but you should still minimize risk.
Start with transparency. Prefer extensions that clearly explain how they work and ideally link to a public code repository (for example, “Hide Google AI Overviews” notes it’s open source). Also check the store’s privacy disclosures before installing.
Next, scope access. After installing, set the extension’s Site Access to run only on Google domains. This meaningfully reduces risk if an extension ever goes rogue.
Finally, trust known filters. AdGuard states enabling its “Other Annoyances” filter includes rules to block AI Overviews, which is a safer route if you already use their blocker
Install Guides by Browser
Chrome / Edge: Install the extension, then immediately set Site access → only Google domains (this is the biggest privacy win).
Firefox: Install from AMO, then test a query that normally triggers an AI Overview.
Mobile Chrome (iOS/Android): Use TenBlueLinks.org. TenBlueLinks instructs users to do one search to “register” the engine in mobile Chrome settings, then set Google Web as the default engine.
Safari (iOS): AdGuard explicitly recommends enabling “Other Annoyances” and says they’ve added rules to block AI Overviews.
Manual Web-only Google (udm=14) search URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14
Warning for uBlock Origin Users on Chrome
Chrome’s MV3 migration is disabling the original uBlock Origin for more users, and uBO Lite has reduced capabilities. If you need advanced, fast-changing cosmetic rules for new Google UI elements, Firefox is usually more resilient
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| What you see | Likely cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| AI Overview came back | Google changed markup; CSS selector no longer matches | Update the extension, then re-test. If it’s still broken, switch to a udm=14 tool temporarily. |
| Maps / calculator widgets disappeared | You’re forcing Web results (udm=14) | Switch to a CSS-hiding extension if you want rich features back. |
| Works in Incognito but not logged in | Different rollouts/experiments per account | Compare logged-in vs logged-out; disable conflicting extensions and re-test. |
| Works on google.com but not regional domains | Permissions don’t include regional hosts | Expand “Site access” to include your Google domain(s) (e.g., google.co.uk). |
| Extension feels “too powerful” | Broad site access enabled | Restrict Site Access to Google domains only. |
Conclusion
While Google doesn’t offer an off switch, the community has built robust tools to restore a clean search experience. For a “set it and forget it” solution on desktop, use Bye Bye, Google AI. For mobile users, the TenBlueLinks.org search engine trick is the most reliable fix.
Don’t just hide the AI; upgrade your research. If you’re doing research and want sources-first answers, Fello AI offers Deep Online Search. A workflow that reads dozens of verified pages to give you citation-backed answers without the SERP noise.
Disclaimer: Not affiliated with Google. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
FAQ
What is the best extension to hide Google AI Overviews?
For most users, “Hide Google AI Overviews” is the best balance of simplicity and privacy. If you want guaranteed stability and don’t mind losing map widgets, “10 Blue Links” is superior.
Does AdGuard block AI Overviews?
Yes. Enabling the “Annoyances” filter list (specifically “Other Annoyances”) often hides the element, as AdGuard maintains rules specifically for this purpose.
Why does my extension say it needs “Read and Change Data” access?
To hide an element on a webpage, the extension must be able to “read” the page’s code and “change” it (by injecting a display: none style). This is standard behavior, but you should restrict this permission to google.com only.
Methodology & Sources
Methodology (Jan 2026): We scored each option on stability (40%), privacy (30%), coverage (20%), and UX (10%), testing 10 queries across US/UK/EU locales in logged-in and logged-out sessions. Store metadata (update dates, disclosures) comes from Chrome Web Store / AMO listings; “Web filter” guidance comes from Google Search Help.
References & Data Sources
- Google Search Help: AI Overviews in Search (Official Policy)
- TechCrunch: Google adds ‘Web’ search filter
- AdGuard: How AdGuard addresses AI Overviews
- The Verge: Chrome’s Manifest V3 and uBlock Origin
- TenBlueLinks: Documentation on
udm=14 - Extension Listings:
- Hide Google AI Overviews
- 10 Blue Links
- Bye Bye, Google AI
- &udm=14
