DuckDuckGo's AI‑free search has surged, drawing almost 28 % more visits in the week after Google’s CEO declared that users love the AI mode. The move underscores a growing appetite for search tools that give users control over automation.

Rise in AI‑free traffic

Between May 20 and May 25, traffic to DuckDuckGo’s AI‑free page, noai.duckduckgo.com, jumped 22.7 % on average week‑on‑week, peaking 27.7 % on May 24. The pattern matched a broader trend: the mobile app saw installs in the U.S. climb 18.1 % on average, reaching a high of 30.5 % on May 25. iOS users were even more enthusiastic, reporting an average 33 % increase and a peak of 69.9 %.

  • NoAI page growth: +22.7 % average, +27.7 % peak
  • App installs (US): +18.1 % average, +30.5 % peak
  • iOS installs: +33 % average, +69.9 % peak

These numbers come after Sundar Pichai announced that “people love [Search’s AI Mode]” and sparked a wave of users seeking alternatives that respect privacy.

DuckDuckGo’s stance on AI and privacy

CEO Gabriel Weinberg criticized Google’s “all‑in‑on‑AI” strategy, arguing that forcing AI into every result degrades quality. He emphasized user choice: “We want to be the place that puts users in charge and allows them to decide how much or how little AI they want.”

Despite not owning a share of the search market—a mere 2 % in the U.S. against Google’s 85 %—DuckDuckGo offers its own AI offerings, such as duck.ai. This platform lets users chat privately with large language models like GPT‑5 mini and Claude Haiku 4.5 while guaranteeing that search histories or chats are never used for training. COO Kamyl Bazbaz noted that AI overviews remain popular, yet the option to filter out AI‑generated images is a key feature because “people just want a choice.”

Market context and future outlook

Google’s Q1 2026 revenue from search grew 19 %, driven in part by its AI features. While the company is unlikely to relinquish its dominance, the current shift highlights a niche for privacy‑focused engines. DuckDuckGo’s commitment to privacy and choice positions it as a compelling alternative for users weary of blind AI integration.

In short, the surge in AI‑free traffic confirms that a substantial segment of internet users is actively seeking search experiences that balance innovation with control.