Restoring Google’s Classic Search Layout with Web Filters

Restoring Google's Classic Search Layout with Web Filters

Google Search: Bringing Back the Classic Experience

With a few changes, you can bring back the classic Google search experience.

In recent years, Google Search has transformed significantly. Much of this change can be attributed to the new AI Overviews that provide AI-generated summaries at the top of the search results page. This innovation aims to offer quick answers to users but has met with mixed reactions.

Embracing Simplicity with Google’s Web Filter

A new feature from Google, the Web Search filter, allows users to revert to results composed purely of text-based links. This option eliminates AI summaries, videos, and knowledge panels from the search results.

How to Access the Web Filter

To find this filter, look for the “More” menu under the search box on Google’s results page. Click this menu to see the “Web” filter among other options like News, Images, and Videos.

Applying the Web Filter Through Different Browsers

Google Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome and reach the settings menu by clicking the three-dot icon.
  2. Navigate to “Search engine” and select “Manage search engines and site search.”
  3. Under “Site search,” click the Add button.
  4. Create a name and keyword for the shortcut (e.g., “Old Google” and “og”).
  5. Enter the URL https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14 and save.

To make this your default search setting, designate it as default under the settings menu.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Edge and access settings by clicking the three-dot menu.
  2. Select “Privacy, search, and services,” then “Address bar and search.”
  3. Add a new search engine using the same URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14.
  4. Set this new search engine as your default.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Manage bookmarks and create a new one, naming it (e.g., “Old Google”).
  2. Use the URL https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14 and specify a keyword (e.g., “og”).
  3. Save this to use the keyword for simplified address bar searches.

Apple Safari

  1. Install the Smart Keyword Search extension from Smart Keyword Search.
  2. Adjust permissions for the extension in Safari’s settings.
  3. Create a new rule within the extension settings, using a similar URL format: https://google.com/search?q={search}&utm=14.

Customize Further with “Verbatim” Searches

To restrict results strictly to your search terms, you can add the “&tbs=li:1” attribute to your custom search URL, making it look like this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14&tbs=li:1

Conclusion

The addition of Google’s Web Search filter offers an alternative for users who prefer a more streamlined search experience. By implementing browser-specific shortcuts, users can quickly revert to the classic Google search result format. By further refining search settings, your experience can be customized to better meet your specific needs.