Ask HN: How to get rid of Gemini?

Hacker News Discussion ↗

Frustration is mounting among Google Workspace and search users who feel Gemini and AI Overviews are being aggressively pushed into their workflows with no reliable, global opt‑out. Commenters trade practical workarounds—browser extensions, uBlock filters, URL parameters like `udm=14`, VPN geofencing, and alternative services such as Kagi, DuckDuckGo (including `noai.duckduckgo.com`), Ecosia, or even switching platforms entirely—while noting the high switching costs for email, documents, maps, and YouTube. The broader theme is a loss of user control as major tech platforms embed AI by default, sometimes even charging more for features many users actively do not want.

Perceived Intrusiveness of Gemini and AI Features

  • Some users report Gemini/AI being pushed aggressively across Google products: Search (AI Overviews), Workspace (Docs, Gmail, Drive “Catch Me Up”, Chat), often enabled multiple times or bypassing settings.
  • Others, especially on certain Android devices or personal accounts, say they rarely see it unless they explicitly use Gemini.
  • Behavior appears to vary by device (Pixel vs Samsung), account type (Workspace vs personal), and possibly region, but details are unclear.

Search and AI Overviews

  • AI Overviews at the top of Google Search are a major pain point; they appear even when logged out.
  • Workarounds mentioned:
    • Add udm=14 or use the “Web” tab to get classic “10 blue links”.
    • Append filters like -ai or a nonsense negative keyword; using profanity (or excluding it) seems to suppress AI on some queries.
    • Use an extension or uBlock Origin (e.g., blocking .hdzaWe or AI blocklists) to hide AI elements.
    • Use command-line / no-JS search or Google/SerpStack APIs with a custom front-end.

Alternatives to Google Search and Services

  • Suggested search replacements: Kagi (paid, praised for quality), DuckDuckGo (with noai, html, or lite subdomains, or settings to disable AI), Ecosia, and bangs (!g etc.).
  • Mixed feedback: some find DDG/Ecosia inferior to Google, especially for local/business info; Google Maps and YouTube are seen as particularly hard to replace.

Workspace and Organizational Friction

  • Workspace admins describe being moved to Gemini-inclusive tiers with price hikes, confusing opt-out paths, and even region-limited availability within one organization.
  • Reported usage is low despite paying more; some would pay extra just to remove Gemini.
  • Alternatives like Proton’s suite, Microsoft Teams, or Zoho are tested but often found lacking, especially for Docs/Drive equivalents, SSO, browser management, and email deliverability.

Attitudes Toward AI and Google’s Strategy

  • Some see Gemini/Gemini 2.5 as very useful (e.g., via Kagi or direct chat) for summaries, action items, and project knowledge.
  • Others reject AI on principle, arguing it erodes skills and cognition: they prefer to read, research, and write themselves.
  • Many criticize Google for “enshittifying” products, forcing AI to monetize attention, and shipping low-quality AI Overviews that damage both the web and AI’s reputation.