Google has reversed a decision that would have cut off Google Search for school pupils whose schools reject its artificial intelligence tools, after a day of criticism from politicians and education leaders. Schools will now be able to switch Google's services on individually, keeping Search while declining the AI products.

The row began on Tuesday 3 November, when Google set out new controls for K-12 student accounts in a wider education update. The company said access to Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search would be "entirely off" for student accounts until administrators explicitly turned them on. Chris Phillips, Google's vice president and general manager for education, told The New York Times that "Search and AI are deeply integrated", and that schools disabling the AI features would lose Search.

The announcement drew swift criticism. Senator Bernie Sanders was among the officials to condemn the move, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani accused the company of using its market power to force AI into public schools. The Verge reported the policy as Google entirely disabling Search in schools that do not want AI, and the story spread quickly.

Within hours, Google stepped back. In a social media post on Tuesday afternoon, the company said that while its Gemini products and Search would be off by default, schools could turn on one, two or all of the services individually. A Google spokesman, Davis Thompson, confirmed in an email that schools could choose not to use the Gemini products and still use Search. "They are separate controls," he said.

One limit remains. Administrators can block the standalone Gemini chatbots while keeping Search, but they cannot remove AI from Search itself. From early 2027, schools that enable Search will be offered versions with conventional AI features such as AI Overviews and AI Mode, or the education-focused Guided Learning experience built around Gemini. Neither option restores the traditional search experience without generative AI.