In May 2023, Google introduced AI overviews into search, marking a turning point for one user who finally decided to leave the tech giant in January 2026. The decision came after years of declining search quality and the introduction of generative AI into Gmail. Proton became the chosen email alternative, though Fastmail, Tuta, and Mailbox were also considered.

Leaving Gmail revealed how much the user had been relying on habit rather than actual features. The algorithmic sorting that Gmail touted as a benefit turned out to be unwanted, and the clean inbox experience with better digital hygiene proved surprisingly satisfying. For search, alternatives like Brave and DuckDuckGo performed better than Google for over 90% of queries, making web browsing feel fun again. The shift from habit-based searching to conscious platform selection brought back the joy of discovering content across different sites.

Google's dominance relies heavily on dark patterns and default placements rather than genuine user preference. The company pays Apple $20 billion annually to remain the default search engine on iOS, accounting for roughly an eighth of Google's profits. This arrangement, combined with Chrome's ~70% market share, means most people never actually choose Google - it's chosen for them. The stigma around leaving mainstream tech proved largely unfounded, with many people secretly wanting to quit but needing permission to make the switch.