In recent years, Google Search—once considered the gold standard of internet navigation—has come under growing criticism for what many users are calling a “decline in usefulness.” Frustrated individuals are turning to alternative platforms or even adjusting their search strategies to get around what they see as an increasingly ad-driven, low-quality experience.
SEO Farms and AI Spam Flood the Results
A primary complaint centers on how top search results are no longer the most relevant or informative, but instead the best optimized for Google’s algorithm. These pages, often filled with AI-generated content or written with SEO in mind rather than accuracy or originality, are accused of clogging up the internet with filler.
“Searching for answers now feels like digging through a pile of garbage,” one user wrote on social media. “I have to add ‘Reddit’ or ‘forum’ to every query just to find something written by a real human.”
Ads Everywhere—Even Before Results
Users also report an overwhelming increase in the number of advertisements shown before any actual search results. In many cases, the first screen of results is nothing but paid listings, which has led to growing concerns that Google’s business model now prioritizes ad revenue over user value.
AI Overlays Aren’t Helping
The recent introduction of Google’s AI Overview has done little to win back user trust. In fact, many users say it’s made things worse. Early examples of AI blurbs offering factually incorrect or even harmful suggestions have sparked controversy. One AI snippet famously told users to put glue on their pizza—a suggestion traced back to a sarcastic Reddit comment misinterpreted as fact.
Users Turn to Alternatives
As trust in traditional search continues to erode, alternatives are gaining popularity. Search engines like DuckDuckGo, privacy-focused platforms, and even community-driven spaces like Reddit and StackOverflow are now often favored for specific types of queries. Some users are even going back to bookmarking trusted sites directly or using AI chatbots to summarize content more reliably.
Is This the Beginning of the End?
While Google remains the dominant player in the search space, this ongoing decline in perceived quality could open the door for competitors—especially those willing to prioritize content relevance over monetization.
For now, it seems that many users are no longer asking, “Can I Google this?” Instead, they’re wondering, “How do I avoid Googling this?”
