Daniel Mercer
AI Overviews Are Replacing Traditional Definitions in Search Results
Google is encountering challenges as it implements its enhanced, AI-centric search experience introduced at I/O 2026. When users search for terms such as “disregard,” “stop,” or “ignore,” the results now feature an AI Overview instead of the expected definition snippet, often leaving a considerable amount of blank space. This change has drawn criticism on social media, and several tech publications, including TechCrunch and Macrumors, have covered these emerging issues. Even if users do not receive a definition, they might still find a series of links to articles discussing the problem prior to the usual list of search results.
Engadget’s team members were able to replicate the unusual AI Overview responses during their own searches on Google. In Incognito Mode, the search engine occasionally displayed the traditional snippet with the definition, but failed on subsequent attempts by reverting to the AI Overview format. Although links to online dictionaries continue to appear under these erroneous outcomes, users must scroll past the AI Overview or a grid of articles to access them.
Ian Carlos Campbell for Engadget Engadget reached out to Google for clarification regarding this issue. The company acknowledged the problem and assured users that a solution is on the way. A spokesperson stated, “We’re aware that AI Overviews are misinterpreting some action-related queries, and we’re working on a fix, which will roll out soon.”
Ultimately, Google’s failure to automatically provide definitions is less severe than previous missteps, such as suggesting users apply glue to pizza—a notable blunder when AI Overviews were first introduced. This incident might even prove beneficial for Merriam-Webster’s online traffic. it emphasizes the awkward transition Google is currently navigating as it shifts from being the primary source for web referrals to an all-encompassing AI assistant.
Update, May 22, 2026, 5:45 PM ET: This article was updated after publication to include a statement from a Google representative regarding the issue.
