LOS ANGELES — DuckDuckGo launched new browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox that allow users to set noai.duckduckgo.com as their default search engine. The new extensions are part of a broader effort to give users more control over whether artificial intelligence features appear in their search results.
The no-AI search page at noai.duckduckgo.com contains no AI-assisted answers, no chat prompts, and fewer AI images in search results, according to DuckDuckGo. The company said the page offers an alternative for users who prefer traditional search results without generative AI integration.
Web visits to DuckDuckGo’s no-AI search page increased by nearly 30% week-over-week as of the week ending May 28, 2026. Traffic to the page tripled on May 28 alone, setting a new record following Google’s AI-related search announcement. Since Google’s announcement, visits to the no-AI page have averaged 84% above baseline levels.
Google announced an AI-first revamp of its search engine at its developer conference in May 2026. The overhaul replaces traditional link results with AI-generated overviews that can create visualizations, charts, graphs, or mini apps. Google’s traditional “10 blue links” now appear below the AI-generated content in search results.
In response to Google making AI the default in search, some users are switching to alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo and Kagi. U.S. app installs for DuckDuckGo increased by 18.1% week-over-week as of the week ending May 28, 2026. U.S. iOS app installs saw even sharper growth, reaching 69.9% week-over-week during the same period.
DuckDuckGo plans to update its DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera to include AI search setting controls. The company said these updates will allow users to maintain their AI preferences consistently across browsing sessions. Users of the DuckDuckGo web browser retain their AI settings even after clearing browser history.
The company’s upcoming extension updates aim to ensure that users who opt out of AI features can preserve those preferences without needing to reconfigure settings after routine browser maintenance.
No independent assessment was available for this report.