Disable Google Generative AI: Step-by-Step Guide

This guide shows you exactly how to turn off Google’s generative AI features in Search and Workspace, depending on which product you are using. The steps differ between the Google app, a web browser, and Google Workspace, so follow the section that matches your situation.

What Is Google Generative AI?

Google has integrated generative AI into several products, most notably Search (AI Overviews), the Google app (AI Mode), and Workspace apps like Gmail and Docs (Help me write, Smart Compose, and Gemini). These features generate summaries, drafts, and suggestions based on your input or the content you are viewing. While they can be helpful, some users find them distracting, inaccurate, or privacy-concerning, and prefer to disable them.

Disable AI Overviews in Google Search

AI Overviews appear at the top of many search results, providing a generated summary before the traditional list of links. To turn them off, you have two main options:

• Use the Web filter: After performing a search, click the “Web” filter tab (located under the search bar, next to “Images”, “Videos”, etc.). This shows only traditional web results without AI Overviews. This is a per-search action.
• Change default settings: In the Google app (iOS and Android), go to your profile picture > Settings > Search settings > scroll to “AI Overviews” and toggle it off. This applies to the app only, not the desktop browser.

On desktop browsers, there is no permanent toggle to disable AI Overviews as of late 2025. The Web filter is the only reliable method, and you must apply it each time you search. Some users add the parameter &udm=14 to the search URL to force web-only results, but this is not officially supported and may change.

Turn Off AI Mode in the Google App

AI Mode is a more conversational search experience, available in the Google app and on desktop for some users. To disable it in the app:

1. Open the Google app on your phone.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
3. Go to Settings > Search settings.
4. Look for AI Mode or Generative AI options and toggle them off.

If you don’t see these options, your account may not have the feature yet, or it may be managed by your organization (if you use a work account).

Disable Generative AI in Gmail and Google Docs

In Gmail, the “Help me write” and Smart Compose features can be turned off individually:

• Help me write: Click the gear icon (Settings) > See all settings > General tab > scroll to “Help me write” and select “Off”.
• Smart Compose: In the same General tab, find “Smart Compose” and uncheck the box for “Writing suggestions on”.

In Google Docs, you can disable the “Help me write” feature by going to Tools > Preferences and unchecking “Show smart compose suggestions” (if available). For the Gemini side panel in Docs, click the “Gemini” icon in the top-right and close it; there is no permanent disable, but you can hide it by clicking the icon again.

Disable Gemini in Google Workspace

If you are a Google Workspace administrator, you can control generative AI features for your entire organization. In the Admin console:

1. Go to Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Gemini.
2. Select the organizational unit (OU) you want to apply changes to.
3. Turn off “Gemini in Workspace” or specific features like “Help me write” and “Smart Compose”.

For individual users with a personal Google account, you cannot disable Gemini entirely from the Workspace apps, but you can turn off the specific writing suggestions as described above.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“I turned off AI Overviews but they still appear.” This is because the setting only applies to the Google app, not the desktop browser. On desktop, you must use the Web filter each time. Also, Google occasionally resets settings after updates, so check periodically.

“Does disabling AI affect my search results quality?” No, you still get the same organic results; you just lose the generated summary at the top. Some users find that traditional results are actually more relevant because they are not filtered by the AI summary.

“Can I disable Gemini in Chrome?” Chrome’s built-in Gemini features (like “Help me write” in the address bar) can be turned off via Chrome settings: go to Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services > turn off “Help me write” and “Suggestions”.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn off AI Overviews permanently?

As of now, there is no permanent toggle on desktop browsers. The only ways are to use the Web filter each time or to use a browser extension that automatically adds the udm=14 parameter, but that is not officially supported and may break. In the Google app, you can permanently disable them via Settings > Search settings > AI Overviews.

Why are AI Overviews still showing after I turned them off?

If you turned them off in the Google app, they will still appear on desktop browsers because the setting is per-platform. Also, if you use a work or school account, your administrator may have forced them on. Check your account type and try the Web filter.

Can I disable Gemini in Google Docs?

You can close the Gemini side panel by clicking the Gemini icon in the top-right corner. There is no permanent disable for personal accounts, but you can turn off smart compose suggestions in Tools > Preferences. For Workspace admins, you can disable it for the entire organization via the Admin console.

Does disabling AI in Gmail stop data collection?

No, turning off these features only stops the AI from generating suggestions. Google still processes your emails for spam filtering and other services. If you are concerned about privacy, review your Google Account’s data settings.

What if I don’t see the AI Overviews toggle in my Google app?

The toggle may not appear if the feature is not rolled out to your region or account, or if you are using an older version of the app. Update the app to the latest version and check again. If it still doesn’t appear, the feature may be managed by your organization.

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