User criticizes Google search AI overview for misinterpreting query

The user expressed frustration that a search engine is acting like a chatbot, noting that the actual relevant results were buried below the "AI slop." They questioned whether it is appropriate for search engines to engage in parasocial dialogue and whether some parts of search were better before Large Language Models were integrated. The post highlights growing user dissatisfaction with AI-generated overviews that prioritize conversational tone over direct information retrieval.

This incident reflects broader concerns about the shift from traditional search to AI-mediated answers, where the system may misinterpret intent and provide irrelevant, emotionally charged responses instead of factual links. The user’s reaction underscores the tension between utility and conversational AI in everyday tools.