What It Means to Turn Off AI Search Answers in Bing
Turning off AI search answers in Bing means hiding Copilot-style, AI-generated summaries and chat-like responses so that standard web links and classic result snippets stay at the center of your search page, while still letting you keep Bing as your default search engine if you want. Microsoft’s new Bing AI Search Choice browser extension for Chrome and Edge gives users a visible way to disable Bing Copilot and other AI features in search, responding to demand for more control over how much automation shows up in everyday queries. The move follows pushback against AI-heavy search pages and a growing interest in “lower-AI” options, where people can decide when AI is helpful and when it gets in the way. You can now choose between AI-rich answers, link-focused results, or a mix of both, query by query.
How to Disable Bing Copilot with the Bing AI Search Choice Extension
To disable Bing Copilot with the Bing AI Search Choice extension in Chrome or Edge, start by installing the official add-on from your browser’s web store via Microsoft’s published links. Once installed, the extension adds a one-click toggle that lets you turn off AI-generated search summaries and chat-like boxes on Bing, so your results focus on traditional blue links. When the switch is off, you effectively turn off AI search answers across your Bing sessions, instead of changing settings for each query. Microsoft notes that the extension does not collect or use your browsing data, which may reassure privacy-conscious users. However, installation also sets Bing as your default search engine and opens Bing on new tabs, so the Bing search extension doubles as both an AI control and a search placement tool.
Use the -ai Operator When You Do Not Want an Extension
If you prefer not to install extra software, you can disable AI features search-by-search using a special parameter. When you type a query into Bing, add the term “-ai” at the end of your search, such as “best budget laptops -ai”. Bing then returns a page without Copilot-style, AI-written summaries, so you see a familiar list of web results without changing your browser setup. This method gives you a lightweight way to turn off AI search answers only when you feel they would distract or clutter your view, while keeping them available for questions where summaries can save time. Microsoft’s Jordi Ribas explained that “AI is doing powerful things for search, but research tells us that not everyone wants to use AI for everything all the time,” which this operator addresses.
Why Users Are Choosing to Disable AI Features in Search
Many people now want a choice between AI-written replies and traditional search pages. Some worry that long AI summaries hide useful links; others prefer to judge sources themselves instead of reading one blended answer. The Bing AI Search Choice extension and the -ai operator give users new ways to control this balance without abandoning Bing entirely. According to coverage of recent trends, privacy-focused engine DuckDuckGo has seen a surge in usage as people look for search results with fewer AI-generated responses. Microsoft’s approach signals a move toward a middle ground: Copilot answers stay available for those who like them, but there is now a clear path to disable Bing Copilot features when you would rather rely on standard results. This flexibility makes AI in search feel more like an option than an obligation.
What This Control Means for Your Search Preferences
Being able to turn off AI search answers changes how you can shape your search experience. With the Bing search extension installed, you can keep Bing as your default engine while still choosing when AI shows up. The toggle suits users who often want link-focused pages, but occasionally turn AI back on for complex questions or exploratory research. For those who dislike extensions, the -ai operator offers granular control per query. Together, these tools mean you no longer have to pick between high-AI and low-AI search providers; you can tune Bing to match your habits instead. The preview status of Bing AI Search Choice also matters: Microsoft is testing whether enough people use this control to turn it into a permanent Bing setting, which could later appear as a built-in preference rather than an optional add-on.
