Google’s rolling out a new feature that could change how we search the web—AI Overviews. If you’ve seen a box at the top of your Google results offering a quick summary of information pulled from various sources, that’s an AI Overview in action.
But what exactly are these AI Overviews? How do they work, and more importantly, what do they mean for the everyday searcher?
Let’s unpack it.
What Are AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are Google’s way of helping users find information faster. Instead of clicking through multiple websites to piece together an answer, you get a quick, AI-generated snapshot right in the search results.
These summaries are generated using a type of artificial intelligence called generative AI. Essentially, this tech learns patterns from massive amounts of data and uses that knowledge to generate a response that attempts to answer your question—pulling info from multiple websites in the process.
You’ll still see links underneath the summary so you can explore further if you want to go deeper. But the idea is to make it easier to grasp the main points straight away.
Where Can You See Them?
AI Overviews are being rolled out gradually across different countries, languages, and devices. You might spot one while doing a text search, using an image, or even using newer features like Circle to Search.
If you’ve opted into the “AI Overviews and more” experiment via Search Labs, you may see these summaries more frequently. This version also gives you access to extra generative AI features being tested in Google Search.
One important note: even if you opt out of the Search Labs experiment, that doesn’t mean you’ll stop seeing AI Overviews altogether. They’re part of the main Search experience now—just like knowledge panels or featured snippets.
Want Only the Usual Links?
Not everyone is a fan of AI summaries, especially if you prefer scanning headlines or digging into full articles yourself.
While you can’t switch off AI Overviews entirely, there’s a workaround. After making your search, just click the “Web” filter at the top of the page. That’ll show you a more traditional list of blue links, minus any AI-generated extras.
A Word of Caution: AI Can Still Get It Wrong
Like all AI technology, these Overviews aren’t perfect. Google openly admits that they may sometimes provide inaccurate or even inappropriate information.
That’s why it’s important to think critically about what you read. If you’re researching something important—medical advice, financial decisions, or anything serious—it’s still best to double-check your sources and look at multiple perspectives.
AI is a tool, not a replacement for human judgement.
How Does Google Train Its AI?
The summaries you see in Search are powered by machine learning models trained on heaps of data—including how people use Google Search.
Google says it uses anonymised data from search activity to help improve the quality of these AI features. That might include what people search for, the links they click, or feedback they give on results.
To protect users’ privacy, trained reviewers help evaluate and refine results, but they don’t see personal account information. Google also uses automated tools to strip out sensitive data before it’s reviewed.
Final Thoughts
AI Overviews are designed to make search faster and more convenient—but they’re still evolving. While they can be useful for quick answers, they’re not infallible, and it’s worth staying a bit sceptical when relying on them for important topics.
As AI becomes more integrated into how we search, understanding how these features work—and how to navigate them—puts you in a better position to find reliable, relevant information when you need it most.
If you prefer the old-school list of links, it’s still there—just a click away.