3AM Marketer
Digital Growth

How to Turn Off AI Mode on Google Search and Workspace

Google provides no master switch to disable AI Overviews in standard search. Here is how to use Search Labs toggles, the Web filter, and enterprise policies.

How to Turn Off AI Mode on Google Search and Workspace

Google classifies AI Overviews as a core search feature that cannot be turned off. Google launched AI Mode as an experimental feature in Search Labs in the U.S. in March 2025, expanding generative summaries directly inside search results.12

The Direct Answer: Can You Turn Off AI Mode?

You cannot disable AI Overviews through a universal toggle on a standard Google account. Google considers AI Overviews a core Search feature. In active search results, users transition from an AI Overview into full AI Mode by selecting 'Show more' at the base of the snapshot and submitting follow-ups into the 'Ask anything' bar.1

Opting Out of Experimental AI in Search Labs

While production overviews lack a toggle, early-access features can be reversed. Users who opted into generative testing can disable experimental Search AI features by turning off 'AI in Search' inside Google Labs. This action removes trial interfaces, though core search summaries will still appear when Google's automated systems trigger them.1

Bypassing AI Overviews Using the Web Filter

The primary built-in method to avoid generative text is the manual Web filter. Selecting Google's Web filter after performing a query displays only text-based links without features like AI Overviews. This strips the search engine results page of automated summaries, widgets, and cards.1

Administrative Controls: AIModeSettings and Enterprise Policies

For organizations, Google provides policies to regulate generative AI features at the browser and suite levels. Chrome Enterprise administrators have an 'AIModeSettings' policy available under Generative AI configuration. In Google Workspace, controls to turn off Gemini across Gmail, Drive, Docs, Meet, and Chat are restricted to Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus editions.43

If you want regular search results without generative snapshots, switch to the Web filter manually after every query. Organizational administrators should enforce the AIModeSettings policy or upgrade Workspace accounts to Enterprise tiers to manage access centrally.14

Questions

How do I switch back to normal Google?

You can select the Web filter at the top of the Google Search results page after running a query. This action strips out AI Overviews and shows only standard text-based links.

Can AI just be turned off on Google Search?

No universal toggle exists to turn off AI Overviews because Google considers them a core Search feature. You can only opt out of experimental features in Google Labs or use the Web filter.

How do I change Google AI mode to normal mode?

If you are in an AI Overview, avoid clicking 'Show more' or entering text into the 'Ask anything' bar, as those trigger AI Mode. Clicking the Web tab returns you to standard text results.