The Google homepage has always had a clean interface that primarily offers a Search bar. But now Google is testing widgets for on the desktop version to provide an experience similar to the Discover section on mobile.

These include different sections for Air Quality, Cryptocurrency, Weather, Trending Searches, What to Watch, and many more. These widgets appear at the bottom of the screen.

Google Search widgets won’t turn off

However, according to multiple reports, users are complaining about an issue where the new Google Search widgets won’t turn off (1,2,3,4,5,6).

Google search widget issue
Source (Click\tap to view)

What used to appear as a blank page with only the Google logo, search field, and “Google Search” and “I’m feeling lucky” buttons, now has five new widgets at the bottom of the page.

The new Google Search widgets feature was in the testing phase since the beginning of this year but now a wider rollout has begun.

Granted, most users are only encountering this feature for the first time. But they have been left unimpressed by this change as they preferred the cleaner look of the Google Search page.

I want to remove the stupid widgets from Google.com but don’t see anything as to how. I don’t want Google telling me what I should watch or what other people are searching and it’s honestly really annoying. And to clarify, this is on my desktop, not on my phone.
Source

So, recently there’s been a bunch of little widgets added at the bottom of the Google homepage like weather, news, what to watch, and other vapid shit like that. How do I get rid of it? I’m using Firefox as my browser if it means anything.
Source

During the initial testing phase, it was possible to turn off these widgets. But Google Search users have been left frustrated as the option is no longer available after the wider release.

Here’s the official word

Fortunately, a Google Diamond Product Expert has confirmed that this issue is currently under investigation. However, no ETA for a fix was provided.

Google search widget
Source

As always, we will be updating this space as and when we come across more information so stay tuned to PiunikaWeb.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Google Section so be sure to follow them as well.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Karanjot Sidhu
963 Posts

A computer science engineer who loves tech and won't stop talking about it. Here at Piunikaweb, I mostly cover Google Pixel deals and how-tos, though you may find me covering Pixel news as well sometimes. Apart from being a nerd, i love gaming and watching movies in my free time.

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