source: techcrunch ai: duckduckgo makes its ‘no-ai’ search engine easier to access as its traffic booms
level: business
duckduckgo introduced new browser extensions for chrome and firefox that let users set its no-ai search page as the default. the extensions direct people to noai.duckduckgo.com, which avoids ai-assisted answers, chat prompts, and reduces ai images in results. users of the duckduckgo browser already have their ai settings saved even after clearing history. the company aims to provide a consistent ai-free search experience as google pushes ai overviews and chat modes to the forefront.
traffic to duckduckgo's no-ai search page jumped nearly 30% week-over-week after google announced its ai-first search revamp in may 2026. u.s. app installs rose 18.1%, with ios installs spiking 69.9%. on may 28, visits tripled to a new high, and daily averages remain about 84% above baseline, indicating a sustained shift. the growth follows google's move to replace traditional links with ai-generated overviews, charts, and interactive experiences, pushing classic search results lower on the page.
duckduckgo is not anti-ai; it offers its own ai chatbot with multiple models and a subscription plan with vpn and identity tools. the company plans to update its privacy essentials extensions for chrome, firefox, edge, and opera with ai search controls. the new extensions cater to users who want to avoid ai by default, reflecting broader demand for choice in how search engines integrate generative features.
why it matters: it shows growing user demand for ai-free search options, which could influence how search engines balance ai features with traditional results.
source: techcrunch ai: duckduckgo makes its ‘no-ai’ search engine easier to access as its traffic booms