HomeDuckDuckGo simplifies access to its AI-free search engine as traffic surges
As DuckDuckGo's traffic continues to climb, the alternative search engine is capitalizing on anti-AI sentiment by launching new browser extensions that let users set its AI-free search experience, noai.duckduckgo.com, as their default search engine.
Once enabled, users are redirected to DuckDuckGo's AI-free search page, which features no AI-assisted answers, no chat prompts, and fewer AI-generated images in results, according to the company. The extensions are currently available for Chrome and Firefox. Meanwhile, people using DuckDuckGo's own browser already retain their AI settings even after clearing their browser history.
The company states that these extensions aim to provide a consistent AI-free search experience — something increasingly rare, especially after Google announced its AI-first search engine overhaul at its developer conference earlier this May.
Image Credits:DuckDuckGo
Since then, DuckDuckGo's traffic has surged. Last week, the company reported that web visits to its AI-free search page increased nearly 30% week over week, while U.S. app installs rose 18.1% week over week, and U.S. iOS app installs peaked at 69.9% week over week.
These trends followed news of Google's search box overhaul — the most significant change to its search engine in over 25 years. Now, instead of displaying links at the top of the page, Google directs users to AI-generated search overviews, which are evolving into interactive experiences that can create visualizations, charts, graphs, or even mini apps as needed. Follow-up questions from AI Overviews lead users into an AI Mode chat experience. The classic "10 blue links" that once defined Google are now an afterthought, appearing below all this AI-powered productivity.
But not everyone embraces AI as the default, prompting some users to switch to alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo, Kagi, and others.
DuckDuckGo reports that traffic to its AI-free search page tripled on Thursday, May 28, 2026 — a new high since Google's search announcement — and the numbers continue to rise. The company notes that the growth is not sporadic; rather, visits are averaging roughly 84% above baseline, indicating a more sustained shift.
In addition to the new "no AI" search extensions for Chrome and Firefox, DuckDuckGo will soon update its original DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera to also include controls for AI search settings.
It's worth noting that DuckDuckGo is not an anti-AI company. It still offers its own AI chatbot with access to many popular models, along with a subscription plan that provides access to the latest models and other tools, such as a VPN service, identity theft restoration, and personal information removal services.
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As DuckDuckGo's traffic continues to climb, the alternative search engine is capitalizing on anti-AI sentiment by launching new browser extensions that let users set its AI-free search experience, noai.duckduckgo.com, as their default search engine.
Once enabled, users are redirected to DuckDuckGo's AI-free search page, which features no AI-assisted answers, no chat prompts, and fewer AI-generated images in results, according to the company. The extensions are currently available for Chrome and Firefox. Meanwhile, people using DuckDuckGo's own browser already retain their AI settings even after clearing their browser history.
The company states that these extensions aim to provide a consistent AI-free search experience — something increasingly rare, especially after Google announced its AI-first search engine overhaul at its developer conference earlier this May.
Image Credits:DuckDuckGo
Since then, DuckDuckGo's traffic has surged. Last week, the company reported that web visits to its AI-free search page increased nearly 30% week over week, while U.S. app installs rose 18.1% week over week, and U.S. iOS app installs peaked at 69.9% week over week.
These trends followed news of Google's search box overhaul — the most significant change to its search engine in over 25 years. Now, instead of displaying links at the top of the page, Google directs users to AI-generated search overviews, which are evolving into interactive experiences that can create visualizations, charts, graphs, or even mini apps as needed. Follow-up questions from AI Overviews lead users into an AI Mode chat experience. The classic "10 blue links" that once defined Google are now an afterthought, appearing below all this AI-powered productivity.
But not everyone embraces AI as the default, prompting some users to switch to alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo, Kagi, and others.
DuckDuckGo reports that traffic to its AI-free search page tripled on Thursday, May 28, 2026 — a new high since Google's search announcement — and the numbers continue to rise. The company notes that the growth is not sporadic; rather, visits are averaging roughly 84% above baseline, indicating a more sustained shift.
In addition to the new "no AI" search extensions for Chrome and Firefox, DuckDuckGo will soon update its original DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera to also include controls for AI search settings.
It's worth noting that DuckDuckGo is not an anti-AI company. It still offers its own AI chatbot with access to many popular models, along with a subscription plan that provides access to the latest models and other tools, such as a VPN service, identity theft restoration, and personal information removal services.
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