DuckDuckGo is capitalising on growing anti-AI search sentiment by launching browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox that let users set its AI-free search experience as their default, following a surge in traffic triggered by Google’s sweeping AI-first redesign announced earlier in May.
Traffic to DuckDuckGo’s no-AI search page has risen roughly 84% above baseline on a sustained basis, with visits tripling on 28 May alone. US app installs were up 18% week-over-week, with iOS installs peaking at nearly 70% growth.
The extensions arrive as Google replaced its traditional link-based results with AI-generated overviews and interactive chat experiences, alienating users who prefer conventional search. DuckDuckGo plans to extend AI search controls to its existing Privacy Essentials extensions across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. The company noted it is not anti-AI, continuing to offer its own AI chatbot and model-access subscription alongside the no-AI alternative.
Featured image: Credit: DuckDuckGo
