diff --git a/handlers.py b/handlers.py
index 353d86f..477ad69 100644
--- a/handlers.py
+++ b/handlers.py
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ def handle_search(query):
             # Hybrid search: merge BM25 + semantic via RRF
             bm25_ids = [r["id"] for r in bm25_rows]
             chunk_snippets = {}  # page_id -> best chunk text
-            if get_setting("semantic_search", "1") == "1":
+            if get_setting("semantic_search", "0") == "1":
                 try:
                     from embeddings import hybrid_search
                     use_reranker = get_setting("use_reranker", "1") == "1"
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ def handle_add_manual_submit(body):
         db.commit()
 
         # Generate embeddings for this page (if semantic search is enabled)
-        if get_setting("semantic_search", "1") == "1":
+        if get_setting("semantic_search", "0") == "1":
             try:
                 from embeddings import store_embeddings
                 # Pass the page_id, title, description, and db connection
@@ -1219,7 +1219,7 @@ def handle_subscription_sync(sub_id):
                     (sub_id, s["url"], s["title"], s.get("note", ""), tags_str),
                 )
                 # Embed remote page for semantic search
-                if get_setting("semantic_search", "1") == "1":
+                if get_setting("semantic_search", "0") == "1":
                     try:
                         from embeddings import store_remote_embeddings
                         rp_id = db.execute(
@@ -1295,7 +1295,7 @@ def handle_subscription_syncall():
                             "ON CONFLICT(subscription_id, url) DO UPDATE SET title=excluded.title, note=excluded.note, tags=excluded.tags",
                             (sub["id"], s["url"], s["title"], s.get("note", ""), tags_str),
                         )
-                        if get_setting("semantic_search", "1") == "1":
+                        if get_setting("semantic_search", "0") == "1":
                             try:
                                 from embeddings import store_remote_embeddings
                                 rp_id = db.execute(
@@ -1325,7 +1325,7 @@ _reindex_thread = None
 
 
 def handle_reindex_form():
-    if get_setting("semantic_search", "1") != "1":
+    if get_setting("semantic_search", "0") != "1":
         return _respond(
             f"<h2>semantic search index</h2>"
             f"<p>Semantic search is disabled. Enable it in <a href=\"/style\">settings</a> to use embeddings.</p>"