DuckDuckGo adds no-AI search extensions as traffic surges

DuckDuckGo is launching new browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox that allow users to set its no-AI search experience as their default search engine. The company’s “no-AI” search experience provides a traditional search format without AI-assisted answers or chat prompts. The launch is designed to capitalize on user dissatisfaction with Google’s recent search overhaul, which integrates AI-generated summaries directly into search results. By offering these extensions, the company aims to make its AI-free search page more accessible to users who want to maintain a consistent browsing experience. While Google’s update pushes users toward interactive AI Overviews, DuckDuckGo is positioning its platform as a direct alternative for those who prefer standard search results.

According to data provided by DuckDuckGo, the rollout of Google’s AI-heavy search has driven a significant increase in traffic to its privacy-focused platform. The company reports that web visits to its no-AI search page were up nearly 30% week-over-week. Mobile adoption also grew during this period, with U.S. app installs rising 18.1% week-over-week. This growth was led by U.S. iOS app installs, which peaked at 69.9% week-over-week growth.

The traffic increase reached a high point on Thursday, May 28, 2026, when visits to the no-AI search page were up threefold. Rather than a temporary spike, DuckDuckGo reports that the growth has sustained, with visits to the no-AI search page averaging roughly 84% above the baseline. This sustained traffic suggests that a segment of the market is actively rejecting AI-integrated search interfaces in favor of traditional options.

While DuckDuckGo is capturing users who want to avoid AI-generated search results, the company is not entirely anti-AI. It continues to offer its own AI tools and features separately, but its new extensions focus on giving users an explicit choice to opt out of AI-driven search interfaces. This strategy allows DuckDuckGo, alongside other alternative search engines like Kagi, to capture market share from users who feel alienated by the rapid integration of AI into dominant search platforms.

Why it matters

DuckDuckGo is successfully positioning itself as the primary alternative for users rejecting Google’s AI-first search strategy, turning a niche preference into measurable platform growth. This shift demonstrates that a segment of internet users still values traditional search formats over AI-generated summaries.