DuckDuckGo makes its ‘no-AI’ search engine easier to access as its traffic booms

In response to its surging user traffic, DuckDuckGo is embracing the growing anti-AI sentiment by introducing new browser extensions. These tools enable users to select its AI-free search platform, accessible at noai.duckduckgo.com, as their default search engine. Once activated, users are directed to a unique search page that eliminates AI-assisted responses, chat prompts, and minimizes the presence of AI-generated images, according to the company. Currently, these extensions are available for users on Chrome and Firefox. For those who have already adopted the DuckDuckGo web browser, their AI preferences are automatically saved, even if they clear their browsing history. The aim of these extensions is to provide a reliable, AI-free search experience, a feature that is increasingly rare, particularly following Google's recent announcement of its AI-centric overhaul of its search engine during its developer conference in May. Since Google's announcement, DuckDuckGo has seen a significant uptick in traffic to its no-AI search page. Last week, the company reported that visits to this page increased nearly 30% week-over-week, while installations of its U.S. app surged by 18.1% in the same timeframe, with iOS app installations experiencing a remarkable peak growth of 69.9%. This traffic surge is part of a broader trend, as Google transitions to AI-generated search overviews that prioritize interactive experiences, including visualizations and chat features. The traditional search results, characterized by the familiar '10 blue links,' have now become secondary in this new paradigm. Amidst this shift, many users are seeking alternatives to mainstream search engines, leading to increased interest in DuckDuckGo, Kagi, and similar platforms. DuckDuckGo noted that visits to its no-AI search page hit a record high on May 28, 2026, showing a threefold increase since Google’s announcement, with average visits remaining approximately 84% higher than the baseline, indicating a sustained trend. In addition to the new no-AI search extensions, DuckDuckGo plans to enhance its existing DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials extensions for various browsers to provide users with more control over AI search settings. It's important to clarify that DuckDuckGo does not oppose AI as a whole; the company also offers its own AI chatbot and subscription services that grant access to a range of popular AI models, alongside privacy tools like VPN services and identity theft restoration.