my google just gives me sites not answers

Google Search is working normally: it often returns website links, and changing the results category to All does not guarantee a written answer.

Google only displays a featured snippet or AI Overview when it determines that one is appropriate and the feature is available; otherwise, it shows ordinary links.^1^ ^2^

Get a conversational answer in Microsoft Edge

Since restarting did not change this behavior, use Copilot in Edge instead of the Google search box:

1. Select the Copilot button in the upper-right corner of Edge.
2. Type your question in the Copilot pane.
3. Add details or ask follow-up questions if the first answer is not specific enough.

Copilot is designed to answer complex questions and summarize information rather than simply display a list of websites.^3^

If the Copilot button is missing:

1. In Edge, select … → Settings.
2. Select Appearance.
3. Under Other appearance settings, select Copilot and sidebar → Copilot.
4. Turn on Show Copilot button on the toolbar.

You can also open it with Ctrl+Shift+.

Optional: use Bing for address-bar searches

Bing in Edge can provide instant answers to some questions, particularly questions about Windows. To make it the address-bar search engine:

1. Search with Bing once from Edge’s address bar.
2. Open … → Settings.
3. Select Privacy, search, and services.
4. Select Search and connected services → Address bar and search.
5. Under Search engine used in the address bar, select Bing.^4^

This changes searches typed into Edge’s top address bar; it does not change how the search box on google.com works.

References

1. How Google’s featured snippets work - Google Search Help
2. Find information in faster & easier ways with AI Overviews in Google Search
3. User data and privacy in Microsoft Edge
4. Change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Support