diff --git a/services/search/pkg/opensearch/backend.go b/services/search/pkg/opensearch/backend.go
index 8972a01dd..d41121730 100644
--- a/services/search/pkg/opensearch/backend.go
+++ b/services/search/pkg/opensearch/backend.go
@@ -92,7 +92,9 @@ func (b *Backend) Search(ctx context.Context, sir *searchService.SearchIndexRequ
 		)
 	}
 
-	searchParams := opensearchgoAPI.SearchParams{}
+	searchParams := opensearchgoAPI.SearchParams{
+		SourceExcludes: []string{"Content"}, // Do not send back the full content in the search response, as it is only needed for highlighting and can be large. The highlighted snippets will be sent back in the response instead.
+	}
 
 	switch {
 	case sir.PageSize == -1: