Google’s latest overhaul of its iconic Search engine is drawing intense criticism from users, who say the integration of artificial intelligence has made the platform nearly unusable. Once known for its clean, relevant search results, Google Search is now delivering what many describe as irrelevant, incoherent, or outright misleading answers.
Users Say AI Has Ruined Search
Over the past several months, Google has rolled out its AI-driven “Search Generative Experience” (SGE) more widely, promising smarter and faster answers to user queries. Instead of traditional links and snippets, searches often now return large, AI-written summaries at the top of the page.
For many, however, the experience has been anything but smart. Users report being served bizarre, nonsensical advice — from cooking tips that involve toxic ingredients to factually incorrect answers to straightforward questions. In some cases, AI-generated text is littered with filler language or contradictory statements that leave users confused and dissatisfied.
Trust in Search at an All-Time Low
For years, Google Search was the gold standard for finding reliable information online. But as more people encounter AI-written results that seem rushed, irrelevant, or simply wrong, trust in the platform has plummeted. Many users have taken to forums and social media to vent their frustration, claiming that Google has sacrificed quality in favor of flashy AI features.
Some users now even avoid Google entirely, opting for competing search engines or old-fashioned website directories to get accurate and trustworthy information.
Critics Warn of Long-Term Consequences
Critics warn that this direction could hurt both users and the broader internet. By replacing nuanced search results with generic AI-generated content, Google risks turning its search engine into what one commentator called “a swamp of nonsense.” Websites that depend on organic search traffic are also seeing their visibility decline, as users no longer click through to their pages.
Will Google Reverse Course?
So far, Google has defended its AI rollout, insisting that the technology will improve over time and that users can still access traditional links if they scroll down. However, with widespread backlash and users abandoning the platform, it remains unclear whether the company will make changes to address the growing dissatisfaction.
For many longtime users, the question is simple: Can Google restore the relevance and reliability that once made its search engine indispensable, or has the age of AI permanently undermined the utility of search?
