DuckDuckGo makes its 'no-AI' search engine easier to access as its traffic booms
4 hours ago
- #search engine
- #AI-free browsing
- #privacy tools
- DuckDuckGo introduces new Chrome and Firefox extensions to set its no-AI search page (noai.duckduckgo.com) as the default, blocking AI-assisted answers, chat prompts, and reducing AI images in results.
- Traffic to DuckDuckGo's no-AI page surged nearly 30% week-over-week, with U.S. app installs up 18.1% and iOS installs peaking at 69.9% growth, following Google's AI-first search overhaul in May 2026.
- Google's revamp prioritizes AI-generated search overviews with interactive features like visualizations and AI Mode chats, pushing traditional '10 blue links' to a secondary position.
- DuckDuckGo reports that visits to its no-AI page averaged 84% above baseline, indicating sustained growth, with a threefold spike on May 28, 2026, reaching a new high.
- Upcoming updates to DuckDuckGo's Privacy Essentials extensions will include AI search controls, while the company continues to offer its own AI chatbot and subscription services like VPN and identity theft restoration.