Time to switch to Bing? Searching for words like 'disregard' or 'ignore' breaks AI Overviews in Google Search

Date:
Sat, 23 May 2026 12:30:00 +0000

Description:
It seems there's a bug inside AI Overviews, which is treating some search terms as commands for the AI.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Google Search is having
problems with certain search words It seems the AI Overviews treat these
words like commands One of the words causing problems for users is
"disregard" Just a few days ago, Google unveiled a whole host of updates that will effectively turn its famous search engine into an AI bot interface, but it looks like there are going to be some glitches along the way: searches for words like "disregard" or "ignore" are currently breaking AI Overviews in Google search.

As spotted by reporter Thomas Maxwell and others (via Android Police ),
typing these words returns a lot of blank space at the top of the screen,
with the regular blue link search results appearing some way down the page. What's missing is the AI summary that now appears at the top of most results search pages on Google. It appears the AI is getting confused, and thinks
that these words are being issued as commands rather than search queries. Latest Videos From You may like 'This new search box does not mean that
you'll only get AI responses': Google's Search makeover incorporates yet more AI, but Google promises to leave room for classic results "Google Search is now AI Search" equals the worst thing to happen to the internet since social media, except this time we can all see it coming I tried Googles new live AI search and it barely feels like search anymore

Indeed, the screenshot shared by Maxwell shows Google saying "No problem. Consider the prompt null and void." It has effectively disregarded the search for "disregard", rather than showing the definition of the word like it
should be doing. Our AI search future @mweinbach what's going on with google man pic.twitter.com/Cur1rAcHEp May 22, 2026 No doubt Google will iron out
this bug before too long, but it's a reminder that AI can and will make mistakes as Google will tell you every time you get answers inside the
Gemini AI app (in very small text at the bottom of the screen).

You don't have to look far online to find some pretty negative reactions to Google's AI fail, and it seems that there are a significant number of users who'd rather stick to the old way of searching the web, without all the added AI.

For Google though, this is the future. It knows its search business is under threat if people start to use AI chatbots like ChatGPT to find all their information, so it wants to get ahead of the competition with AI offerings of its own. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

If you want to stick to the old way of browsing the web and perhaps give
more support to writers and publishers along the way then search engine alternatives such as DuckDuckGo and Kagi are available, and there's always Bing too. These portals have AI features of their own, but they're not quite as prominent as Google's. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best laptops 1. Best overall: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2. Best budget: Apple MacBook Neo 3. Best Windows 11 laptop Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch 4. Best thin and light: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 5. Best Ultrabook Asus Zenbook S 16



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/time-to-switch-to-bing-searching-for-words -like-disregard-or-ignore-breaks-ai-overviews-in-google-search


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)