Does swearing in Google Search remove AI results?

Luke Meredith

Tests from Google Search users have found an infallible method of removing artificial intelligence (AI) results from their searches – simply start swearing!

Google’s AI Overview is, it’s fair to say, not exactly universally popular. The feature is designed to give a concise rundown of the top search results for your query so you can find the answer you’re looking for as quickly as possible.

AI Overview’s current widespread rollout appears to be more accurate than its initial trial period. However, in some cases, your query simply can’t be boiled down to a couple of lines of summary followed by four of five bullet points – but that doesn’t stop Google from trying to do just that.

For example, if you wanted to put your name forward to take part in the next season of the BBC’s popular reality game show The Traitors, you might ask Google ‘how do i sign up for the traitors’, to which you would be given this answer from AI Overview:

As far as AI Overview answers go, this one is fairly helpful, but crucially, it doesn’t give you the option to actually sign up, despite taking up a large portion of the space underneath your search. The top-ranking BBC webpage is much further down on the screen, and won’t be seen at all if you decide to press ‘Show more’.

However, by selecting some slightly more colourful language in your query, you can remove the AI suggestion from your search and give your result page a much more classic feel.

This experiment, first reported by Ars Technica and now tested by many, shows that not only does swearing in searches remove AI Overview, it can also give slightly different search results.

While swearing on Google might feel wrong and should almost definitely feel unnecessary, if you feel jaded by the presence of AI everywhere on the internet, it might be just the tonic to take your Google experience back to a simpler time.

At Engage Web, while we certainly won’t recommend incorporating swearing into your search engine optimisation (SEO) campaign, we do know what it takes to help your website’s pages rank highly, and can even get you included on those dreaded AI Overviews. If you want to experience our services for yourself, reach out to a member of our team today by giving us a call or filling in our contact form below.

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Luke Meredith

Content Editor at Engage Web

At home in both the digital sector and the world of communications, Luke thrives on deadlines and has held roles in healthcare, retail and digital marketing, gaining a sound knowledge of a wide range of sectors. He’s a massive swot as well, holding a first-class degree in BA Communication and Media, and now uses his writing skills and keen editorial eye in his role as Content Editor here. Luke helps to oversee our clients’ content requirements, while also looking after a pool of freelance writers across three continents.

Does swearing in Google Search remove AI results?