The AI Takeover: Navigating the New Digital Landscape
The year 2026 feels increasingly like a relentless bombardment of generative AI tools. From AI agents eager to assist to chatbot sidebars and ubiquitous AI summaries, the digital realm is awash with artificial intelligence. While a complete escape from this AI smorgasbord remains elusive, a clever keyboard trick offers a temporary reprieve from Google’s often-unwanted AI Overviews.
Finding Respite from Generative Overload
For those weary of AI-generated summarizations cluttering their Google Search results, a simple solution exists: append “–ai” to the end of your query. This ingenious workaround, initially highlighted by WIRED readers, has proven remarkably effective. After a week of testing, this journalist can attest to its utility, prompting a wish for a permanent toggle with similar capabilities from Google itself.
The En-Dash Escape: Your Temporary AI Overview Blocker
Google maintains that “People find Search more helpful with AI Overviews, and they’re coming back to search more as a result.” A spokesperson for the tech giant also noted the existence of a ‘web’ filter for links only, though it sees minimal use. They compare AI Overviews to unremovable features like knowledge panels, suggesting their permanence.
How the “–ai” Trick Works (and Its Variations)
Intriguingly, the trick isn’t limited to “–ai.” As reported by PCMag, any combination of letters or numbers attached to an en dash—such as “–1” or “–z”—will achieve the same result, completely preventing AI Overviews from appearing. This functionality stems from Google’s en-dash design, which is intended to remove specified topics from search results. The removal of AI Overviews, therefore, appears to be an incidental but welcome side effect. Users can also manually select the “Web” tab (sometimes hidden under “More”) below the search bar to view traditional site links.
Navigating the Limitations and Alternatives
While effective, the “–ai” trick isn’t universally applicable.
Mobile vs. Desktop: Where the Trick Succeeds
Our tests indicate that this workaround is primarily limited to desktop browser queries. On iOS devices, using Safari or Chrome apps, Google’s AI-generated “web guide” often persists. However, mobile users can still find a “Classic Search” button on the right side of the results, which reloads the page to display a mix of website links and short-form videos. Notably, on Android (specifically a Google Pixel phone tested), the “–ai” trick did successfully remove AI Overviews.
Beyond the Workaround: Classic Search and Privacy-Focused Engines
For those seeking a more permanent departure from AI-infused search, alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo and Brave offer compelling options. Both allow users to toggle AI summaries on and off within their settings. Furthermore, changing your default search engine doesn’t necessitate a browser switch, as Google Chrome’s settings menu facilitates this modification.
The AI Overview Controversy: When AI Gets It Wrong
Google’s introduction of AI Overviews in 2024 marked a significant shift, yet it was met with widespread mockery for its inaccuracies. Infamous examples, such as the suggestion to bake pizza with glue, highlighted the technology‘s flaws. Despite these missteps, Google has continued to integrate and iterate on AI tools within its search experience.
From Dubious Summaries to the Need for Direct Sources
While Google claims improved accuracy over time, generative AI tools can still introduce inaccuracies. It remains crucial to click through to original sources and verify any information presented in an AI Overview. This inherent risk reinforces the argument for bypassing the “middlebot” entirely and engaging directly with the original websites.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Direct Information
For many, the minimalist Google of yesteryear, with its straightforward list of ten blue links, evokes a sense of nostalgia. The “–ai” trick offers a welcome return to this simplicity on desktop, and for now, it will likely become a new muscle memory for those seeking an uncluttered search experience. Ultimately, in an era of AI proliferation, the ability to choose how we consume information—and to prioritize direct, verified sources—becomes ever more important.
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