Google’s updated AI-focused search experience at I/O 2026 has caused problems when searching for words like “disregard,” “stop,” or “ignore.” Instead of showing definition snippets, results display an AI Overview and substantial blank space. Users reported the issue on social media, and multiple outlets documented it. Staff members reproduced the behavior, with Incognito Mode sometimes showing the traditional definition snippet and sometimes switching to an AI Overview. Dictionary links still appear, but users must scroll past the AI Overview or an article grid to reach them. Engadget contacted Google for clarification and updates. The problem is framed as less severe than earlier AI Overviews errors, and it underscores Google’s transition toward an all-in-one AI assistant.
"Currently, searching for the words “disregard,” “stop” or “ignore” on Google no longer displays a snippet with a definition, and instead offers an AI Overview and a lot of blank space. Because users have complained about the issue on social media, and publications like TechCrunch and have reported on it, even if you don't get a definition, you might still get a collection of links to articles documenting the issue before the traditional list of links."
"Multiple members of Engadget's staff were able to recreate the strange AI Overview responses with their own personal Google searches. In Incognito Mode, Google responded correctly once by displaying its usual snippet with the definition, and failed a second time by once again responding with an AI Overview. Links to online dictionaries still appear under these incorrect results, but you have to scroll past an AI Overview or a grid of articles to actually get to them."
"Engadget has contacted Google for more information about this issue and its attempts to fix it. We'll update this article if we hear back . In the grand scheme of things, Google not automatically displaying a definition isn't as bad as recommending people put glue on pizza, one of the issues the company dealt with when it first launched AI Overviews. It might even be good for Merriam-Webster's web traffic."
"What the issue does highlight is the awkward transition Google is currently undergoing, as it moves from the ultimate referrer of other websites into all-in-one AI assistant."
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