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Google Begins the Force Feeding of AI – But Do Users Really Want It?

By Brett Tabke on March 5, 2025

AI Mode is an tweak to Google Search that allows users to pose complex, multi-layered questions and easily continue their inquiries within the search interface. This feature leverages a tailored version of Gemini 2, to deliver responses. However, as AI begins to infiltrate search results via AI Overviews, many users are expressing their dissatisfaction with AI-generated answers, which can be slow, occasionally inaccurate, and overwhelming.

Currently, this feature is only available in Google One AI Premium subscribers through Search Labs. A key concern moving forward is whether AI Mode will eventually become a standard feature for all users, potentially changing the way search operates.

Many users prefer fast, direct access to reliable sources, rather than waiting for an AI-generated summary that may or may not be accurate. AI-generated results have already drawn criticism for:

  • Providing incorrect or misleading information. Glue on pizza.
  • Slowing down the search experience with longer response times
  • Blocking access to real, authoritative sources by favoring AI summaries or Google properties.
  • Generating AI hallucinations, lies, fabricated facts, or misinterpreted context

For individuals who depend on conventional search results, the introduction of AI Mode may complicate the process of information retrieval. Rather than swiftly reviewing blue links, users might find themselves navigating through lengthy AI-generated responses to obtain the information they seek.

Can You Opt Out?

At present, AI Mode is available on an opt-in basis via Search Labs; however, a more pressing issue is the possibility that Google may eventually mandate these changes for all users. Should this occur, it is important for users to be informed about methods to restrict AI-generated responses. Basically, you have little choice:

  1. Avoid Search Labs enrollment – If you don’t sign up…
  2. Use alternative search engines – DuckDuckGo, Bing (ironically, since it haha – also has AI), or traditional Google Search without an account logged in for now.
  3. Turn off AI-generated responses – If Google provides an option to disable AI Mode in settings, be sure to mash it off.
  4. Use site-specific searches – Searching with site:example.com keeps results limited to real sources instead of AI summaries.

What’s Google’s Endgame?

According to Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, early testing shows that:

  • Users are asking longer questions, nearly twice the length of traditional queries. (in other words, they are not finding what they want with AI in the way on the first query.
  • About 25% of searches include follow-up questions.  Is that because they can’t find what they want on the first one?
  • Google sees AI Mode as an opportunity to push users into more interactive, back-and-forth searches rather than quick answers. (Well sure, the longer they engage, the more likely they are to stumble into a ad click)

This suggests Google is actively steering users toward AI-powered interactions, whether they want them or not.

Google’s AI Mode may very well be a technological advancement, but it highlights a growing disconnect between what Google wants and what users actually find helpful. Many searchers just want fast, reliable links to trusted sources—without AI-generated slop.

As this experiment rolls out, the real test will be whether users embrace AI Mode or actively look for ways to avoid it. For now, keeping a close eye on how Google implements these changes—and knowing how to opt out—will be essential for those who still prefer the classic search experience.

 

 

Published in Gemini and Google