In this digital age, Google has become an essential tool for our everyday lives. Whether we need to look up information, find a specific website, or even settle arguments with friends, Google is always there to provide us with answers. However, as technology and algorithms continue to advance, Google has introduced a new feature called AI Search, which aims to personalize search results based on our browsing history and preferences.
While this may seem like a convenient feature, some users prefer the classic search results that were not influenced by personal data. Fortunately, there is a way to turn off Google AI Search and revert back to the traditional results. In this article, we will explore how you can disable Google AI Search and get back to the classic search results.
1. Understanding Google AI Search
Before we delve into the steps of turning off Google AI Search, let’s first understand what it is and how it works. AI Search stands for Artificial Intelligence Search and is a feature that uses machine learning algorithms to personalize search results for each user. It takes into account your location, previous searches, and other factors to provide you with more relevant results.
The purpose of AI Search is to make your searching experience more efficient and tailored to your needs. For example, if you frequently search for recipes, AI Search will prioritize showing you results from food blogs or cooking websites. Similarly, if you often search for news articles, AI Search will display more news websites in your results.
While this may seem like a great feature for those looking for personalized results, some users may find it intrusive and may not want their browsing history to influence their search results. If you prefer to see unbiased search results, then you can turn off Google AI Search and get back to the classic search results.
2. Steps to Disable Google AI Search
Disabling Google AI Search is a straightforward process. However, the steps may vary slightly depending on whether you are using a desktop or mobile device. Below are the steps to disable Google AI Search on both platforms.
On Desktop
- Open your preferred web browser and go to the Google homepage.
- Click on the three vertical dots at the top right corner of the screen to open the menu.
- From the menu, click on Settings and then select Search settings.
- This will open a new tab with your search settings. Scroll down until you see the Private results section.
- Under Private results, toggle the switch off for Use private results.
- Once you turn off this option, Google AI Search will be disabled, and you will start seeing the classic search results.
On Mobile
- Open the Google app on your mobile device.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines at the bottom right corner of the screen to open the menu.
- From the menu, tap on Settings and then select Privacy.
- Under the Privacy section, tap on Turn off **Personal results.
- Once you turn off this option, Google AI Search will be disabled, and you will start seeing the classic search results.
3. Benefits of Using Classic Search Results
Now that you know how to disable Google AI Search let’s explore some of the benefits of using the classic search results.
Unbiased Results
One of the main advantages of using classic search results is that they are not influenced by personal data. This means that the results you see will be the same as anyone else’s, regardless of their browsing history or location. This ensures that everyone has access to the same information and prevents any potential bias in the results.
More Diverse Results
Since classic search results are not personalized, you are more likely to see a diverse range of websites and sources in your results. This can be beneficial if you are looking for different perspectives or want to avoid seeing the same types of websites repeatedly.
Better Privacy
By disabling Google AI Search, you are essentially preventing Google from tracking your browsing history and using it to influence your search results. This can be reassuring for those who are concerned about their online privacy and do not want their personal data to be used for targeting ads or other purposes.
4. How to Get Back to AI Search Results
If you have disabled Google AI Search and later decide that you prefer the personalized results, you can easily switch back to AI Search. The steps to turn on AI Search are the same as disabling it, but instead, you need to toggle the switch on for Use private results.
It’s worth mentioning that even if you have previously turned off Google AI Search, it may still be active when you perform certain searches. This is because Google AI Search will be enabled for some specific queries, such as sports scores, flight information, and weather forecasts. However, you can always turn it off again if you prefer to see classic search results for these types of searches as well.
5. Other Ways to Customize Your Google Search Experience
Apart from turning off Google AI Search, there are other ways to customize your Google search experience. Below are some additional tips to help you get the most out of your searches.
Use Advanced Search Operators
Google offers a wide range of advanced search operators that you can use to refine your search and get more accurate results. Some examples of these operators include quotation marks for exact phrases, minus sign for exclusion, and OR operator for multiple search terms. You can find a complete list of these operators on the Google Support page.
Filter Your Results
When you perform a search, you can filter your results by using the options in the left sidebar. This allows you to narrow down your results based on specific criteria such as time, location, and type of content. By using these filters, you can quickly find what you are looking for without having to sift through multiple pages of results.
Use Google Dorks
Google dorks are advanced search queries that allow you to find specific information on websites or within certain file types. These can be useful if you are trying to find something specific but can’t seem to get the right results with regular searches. Some examples of Google dork queries include finding open directories, sensitive files, or even specific usernames on social media platforms.
6. Tips for Using Google AI Search Effectively
If you prefer to keep Google AI Search enabled, there are a few tips that can help you use it more efficiently.
Clear Your Browsing History
To ensure that Google AI Search provides accurate results, it needs to have access to your recent browsing history. If you have recently cleared your browsing history or use private browsing, then Google AI Search may not be able to personalize your results effectively. So, if you want to make the most out of this feature, it’s best to clear your browsing history regularly.
Provide Feedback to Improve Results
Google AI Search is continuously learning and adapting to provide more relevant results for each user. However, it is not perfect, and sometimes you may see results that are not relevant to your search. In such cases, it’s helpful to provide feedback by clicking on the “Feedback” link at the bottom of the search results page. This will help Google better understand your preferences and improve the personalized results in the future.
Use Incognito Mode
If you prefer not to have your browsing history tracked, but still want to use Google AI Search, you can use the incognito mode. This will allow you to use AI Search without affecting your browsing history, as all your activity in this mode will be deleted once you close the window.
Conclusion
Google AI Search is a useful feature that can personalize your search results and make your searching experience more efficient. However, if you prefer to see unbiased results or are concerned about your online privacy, then you can easily turn off Google AI Search and get back to the classic search results. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can customize your Google search experience and find the information you need without any influence from personal data. So, whether you prefer personalized results or unbiased ones, Google has got you covered.
