DuckDuckGo has launched new browser extensions that allow users to set its no-AI search page as their default search engine. The extensions direct users to a search experience without AI-assisted answers, chat prompts, or AI images, according to the company. Currently, these extensions are available for users of Chrome and Firefox.
The company stated that users who switch to the DuckDuckGo web browser will have their AI settings preserved, even after clearing their browser history. DuckDuckGo aims to provide a consistent AI-free search experience, particularly in light of Google’s announcement of an AI-first revamp of its search engine earlier this month.
Following Google’s announcement, DuckDuckGo reported a nearly 30% week-over-week increase in web visits to its no-AI search page. Furthermore, U.S. app installs rose by 18.1% week-over-week, with iOS app installs reaching a peak growth rate of 69.9% during the same period.
Google’s search overhaul marks the most significant change in over 25 years, prioritizing AI-generated search overviews instead of traditional links. As a result, DuckDuckGo has seen its traffic to the no-AI search page increase threefold since the announcement, with sustained visits averaging 84% above the baseline.
In addition to the new browser extensions, DuckDuckGo plans to update its original Privacy Essentials extensions for various browsers to include controls for AI search settings. The company clarifies that it is not entirely anti-AI, as it continues to offer its own AI chatbot and services such as VPN, identity theft restoration, and personal information removal.
