Forget AI. Google just created a version of its search engine free of all the extra junk it has added over the past decade-plus. All you have to do is add “udm=14” to the search URL.
While Google made its AI-focused changes known on its biggest stage—during its Google I/O event—the Web filter was curiously announced on Twitter by Search Liaison Danny Sullivan.
As Sullivan wrote:
- We’ve added this after hearing from some that there are times when they’d prefer to just see links to web pages in their search results, such as if they’re looking for longer-form text documents, using a device with limited internet access, or those who just prefer text-based results shown separately from search features. If you’re in that group, enjoy!*
More About
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/google-searchs-udm14-trick-lets-you-kill-ai-search-for-good/
https://venturebeat.com/ai/how-to-use-google-search-without-ai-the-udm14-work-around/
PS for those unaware:
If you use Firefox, you can add a custom Search engine with the Search URL string:
https://www.google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s
Then set that new custom Search engine as default.
Important addition: You’ll have to set
browser.urlbar.update2.engineAliasRefreshtotruein about:config to see the option to add search engines via URL. Otherwise you’ll just see the option to remove them and a link to the add-ons page.