Simple Google Trick Eliminates AI Results and Ads from Your Search

Remember how Google used to look ten years ago? You can declutter your search results with this easy trick.

Google has recently made significant changes to its search results page, introducing an AI summary feature that answers queries similarly to chatbots like ChatGPT.

These updates have been well-received by users seeking targeted responses. However, for those simply browsing for websites, the abundance of AI summaries, ads, and answer boxes can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Google’s new Web filter allows for a cleaner browsing experience by removing this excess clutter – and you can set it as your default view permanently.

If you’re nostalgic for the simpler search experience of 2014, this guide will show you how to make the Web filter your default search view on both Chrome and Safari. Additionally, we delve into Google’s new AI features to help you decide if you want to opt-out.

Google's Revamped Search: A Game Changer or a Misstep?

If you’ve used Google lately, you might have spotted a new AI-powered summary feature that provides concise answers to your queries.

In response to the rapidly evolving tech landscape, Google’s introduction of AI-driven answer boxes is part of a strategic move to safeguard its search engine dominance against rising competitors like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI.

These AI summaries, generated by Google’s large language model (LLM) Gemini, are designed to give users a quick understanding of complex subjects, eliminating the need to sift through numerous similar search results. Proponents view this as a natural progression for Google’s search engine, aligning with users' growing demand for convenience and efficiency.

Critics, however, argue that these AI summaries exacerbate the cluttered nature of Google’s search interface, where elements like sponsored ads, answer boxes, and knowledge panels already detract from the core search experience. Concerns are further heightened by Google’s recent announcement that these brief AI snippets will soon incorporate ads, adding to the reasons for skepticism about the new feature.

Google's New Tool Simplifies Your Search Experience

Google's AI Overview feature has sparked debate, leading the company to offer an opt-out option through its newly introduced Web filter. Announced by Search Liaison Danny Sullivan on X (formerly Twitter) during the company’s I/O event, this filter addresses users' desire for traditional search results.

“We added this after hearing from some users that they sometimes prefer just seeing links to web pages in their search results,” Sullivan explained. “This is useful for those seeking longer-form text documents, using devices with limited internet access, or simply preferring text-based results shown separately from other search features. If you’re in that group, enjoy!”

Sullivan noted that the filter caters to users who favor classic search results over additional SERP features. To activate the Web filter, click the ‘More’ dropdown on the right of Google’s search bar and select ‘Web’. This setting, however, only applies to the current search.

To make the web view your default setting on Google, follow our simple steps outlined below.

Setting the Web Filter as Your Default Search in Google Chrome

Although Google doesn't officially support setting the Web filter as your default search, Ernie Smith from Tedium discovered a clever workaround that's gaining popularity among traditional web users.

To permanently remove distracting search features, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot icon on the top right.

2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.

3. Click the three lines next to the Settings header, then choose Search Engine from the menu.

4. Click on the ‘Manage search engine and site search’ dropdown to reveal more options.

5. Scroll down to Site Search and click ‘Add’ to create a new search default.

6. Enter the following details for the new Site Search:

   - Name: Google Web Only

   - Shortcut: gw

   - URL with % in place of query: `https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14`

7. Set this new search as your default, and you're all set!