Can a school keep Google Search but turn off Gemini?

Google says schools can turn on Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Google Search one by one, so a school can enable Search alone. Critics such as Ed Newton-Rex point out that Search now carries AI Mode and AI Overviews, so a school that switches Search on still gets AI features; Google's Chris Phillips told the New York Times that Search and AI are deeply integrated.

When do Google's new K-12 AI defaults take effect?

Google's November 3 post by Chris Phillips does not give a date for the off-by-default change. Google says it will share more specifics in the coming months, before the changes roll out. Guided Learning in Google Classroom is available worldwide from the day of the announcement, and a Guided Learning pilot in Search starts for select U.S. schools later in November.

Why did Google's school AI announcement cause a backlash?

The New York Times reported that schools rejecting AI entirely would lose Google Search for students. Senator Bernie Sanders called it extortion, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Google was using monopoly power to force AI into schools, and former FTC Chair Lina Khan warned about a monopolist controlling an essential service. Google later said its changes give schools more choice, not less.

What is Guided Learning in Google Classroom?

Guided Learning is Google's study mode that walks students through a problem with open-ended questions and step-by-step breakdowns instead of giving the answer. In Google Classroom, teachers assign Guided Learning activities anchored in their class material and get real-time insights into where the class needs support. Google also plans the same step-by-step approach for some homework requests in Search.

Google · 2026-11-03 · major

Google turns AI off by default for K-12 — Search included, schools opt in

Google will turn off Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search for K-12 student accounts until school admins switch them on. Critics say tying Search to AI forces schools to choose; Google says schools are in control.

Hero image for Google's post Designing responsible AI for learning

Google's school accounts will ship with Gemini and Search switched off until admins opt in.

Quick facts

Maker	Google (Workspace for Education)
Off by default	Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, Google Search
Who	K-12 student accounts
Switch on by	School administrators, product by product
Available now	Guided Learning in Google Classroom, worldwide
Rollout of defaults	Details "in the coming months"

What is it?

Google announced on November 3, 2026 that Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search will be fully off for K-12 student accounts until school administrators turn them on. The same post makes Guided Learning, a step-by-step study mode, available worldwide in Google Classroom.

How does it work?

Workspace for Education admins enable each product separately for students. Because Google treats Search and AI as one product, enabling Search for students also brings AI Mode and AI Overviews, which Google says will guide students step by step rather than hand out answers to schoolwork.

Why does it matter?

School IT teams and edtech builders on Google Workspace for Education must now plan for student accounts where Gemini and even Search start disabled. The link between Search and AI drew criticism from Bernie Sanders, Zohran Mamdani and Lina Khan, and follows a Senate inquiry by Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley into Google's AI push in classrooms.

Who is it for?

school admins, edtech developers on Google Workspace for Education

Frequently asked questions

Can a school keep Google Search but turn off Gemini?: Google says schools can turn on Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Google Search one by one, so a school can enable Search alone. Critics such as Ed Newton-Rex point out that Search now carries AI Mode and AI Overviews, so a school that switches Search on still gets AI features; Google's Chris Phillips told the New York Times that Search and AI are deeply integrated.
When do Google's new K-12 AI defaults take effect?: Google's November 3 post by Chris Phillips does not give a date for the off-by-default change. Google says it will share more specifics in the coming months, before the changes roll out. Guided Learning in Google Classroom is available worldwide from the day of the announcement, and a Guided Learning pilot in Search starts for select U.S. schools later in November.
Why did Google's school AI announcement cause a backlash?: The New York Times reported that schools rejecting AI entirely would lose Google Search for students. Senator Bernie Sanders called it extortion, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Google was using monopoly power to force AI into schools, and former FTC Chair Lina Khan warned about a monopolist controlling an essential service. Google later said its changes give schools more choice, not less.
What is Guided Learning in Google Classroom?: Guided Learning is Google's study mode that walks students through a problem with open-ended questions and step-by-step breakdowns instead of giving the answer. In Google Classroom, teachers assign Guided Learning activities anchored in their class material and get real-time insights into where the class needs support. Google also plans the same step-by-step approach for some homework requests in Search.