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

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

As its traffic continues to climb, alternative search engine DuckDuckGo is leaning into anti-AI sentiment with the launch of new browser extensions that allow users to set its no-AI search experience, noai.duckduckgo.com, as their default search engine. Once enabled, users will be directed to the company’s AI-free search page, where there are no AI-assisted answers, no chat prompts, and fewer AI images in the search results, the company claims.

New extensions and growing demand for AI-free search

The extensions are currently available for Chrome and Firefox users. Meanwhile, people who have switched to the DuckDuckGo web browser already have their AI settings preserved, even if they clear their browser history. The company says the extensions are meant to help people have a consistent AI-free search experience — something that’s harder to come by these days, especially after Google announced its AI-first revamp of its search engine at its developer conference earlier in May.

Since then, traffic to DuckDuckGo has been booming. Last week, the company noted that web visits to its no-AI search page were up nearly 30% week-over-week, and its U.S. app installs were also up 18.1% week-over-week, with U.S. iOS app installs peaking at 69.9% week-over-week growth. Those trends followed news that Google was overhauling its search box in the biggest change to its search engine in more than 25 years.

Now, instead of returning links at the top of the page, Google will favor sending users into AI-generated search overviews, which are becoming more interactive experiences capable of creating visualizations, charts, graphs, or even mini apps, as needed. Follow-up questions from AI Overviews will push users into an AI Mode chat experience. The traditional ’10 blue links’ that defined Google in its earlier days are more of an afterthought, appearing below all this AI-fueled productivity.

Not everyone wants AI as the default

But not everyone is on board with having AI made the default, which is why some are making the move to alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo, Kagi, and others. DuckDuckGo says traffic to its no-AI search page was up threefold on Thursday, May 28, 2026 — a new high-water mark since Google’s search announcement — and the numbers are still climbing. The growth is not coming in spurts either, the company points out. Instead, visits are averaging roughly 84% above the baseline, suggesting a more sustained shift.

What the extensions offer and what’s coming next

In addition to the new ‘no AI’ search Chrome and Firefox extensions, DuckDuckGo will soon update its original DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera to offer controls for AI search settings, as well.

It’s worth noting that DuckDuckGo isn’t an anti-AI company. The company still offers its own AI chatbot with access to many popular models, and a subscription plan that provides access to the latest models and other tools, like a VPN service, identity theft restoration, and personal information removal services.

Conclusion

DuckDuckGo’s move to make its AI-free search engine more accessible through dedicated browser extensions reflects a growing segment of users who prefer a traditional, link-based search experience without AI-generated summaries or chat prompts. The sustained traffic growth suggests this is not a temporary spike but a meaningful shift in user behavior, as Google’s AI-first approach continues to reshape the search landscape. For users seeking a consistent, AI-free alternative, DuckDuckGo is positioning itself as a clear option — while still offering AI tools for those who want them.

FAQs

Q1: How do I set DuckDuckGo’s no-AI search as my default search engine?
A: You can install the dedicated ‘no AI’ search extension for Chrome or Firefox from the DuckDuckGo website. Once installed, it will set noai.duckduckgo.com as your default search engine automatically.

Q2: Will DuckDuckGo remove AI features entirely?
A: No. DuckDuckGo still offers its own AI chatbot and subscription-based AI tools. The ‘no AI’ search page is an option for users who prefer a search experience without AI-generated answers or chat prompts.

Q3: Is DuckDuckGo’s traffic increase directly linked to Google’s AI Overviews launch?
A: DuckDuckGo reports that traffic to its no-AI search page spiked threefold on the day of Google’s AI search announcement and has remained roughly 84% above baseline since, suggesting a direct correlation with user dissatisfaction with Google’s AI-first approach.

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