DuckDuckGo Launches No-AI Browser Extensions Amid Traffic Spike

DuckDuckGo is doubling down on its commitment to traditional search by releasing new browser extensions that allow users to default to an AI-free experience. As Google shifts toward an AI-first interface, the alternative search provider is seeing a significant surge in interest from users seeking to bypass automated summaries and chat-based results.

The company’s new extensions for Chrome and Firefox enable the noai.duckduckgo.com portal as the primary search engine. Once active, this setting strips away AI-generated answers, chat prompts, and AI-assisted imagery, returning the search experience to a more traditional format.

A Shift in Search Behavior

The move follows a period of rapid growth for DuckDuckGo, which the company attributes to the recent overhaul of Google’s search engine. Google’s new AI-first approach prioritizes interactive overviews and chat-based answers, effectively pushing the classic list of search results further down the page. As users react to these changes, DuckDuckGo has recorded significant engagement metrics:

• Visits to the no-AI search page increased by nearly 30% week-over-week.
• U.S. iOS app installs saw a sharp rise of 69.9% week-over-week.
• Overall U.S. app installs grew by 18.1% week-over-week.
• On Thursday, May 28, 2026, traffic to the no-AI page tripled, with sustained visits averaging 84% above the baseline.

Expanding Control

While the new standalone extensions offer a quick way for users to opt out of AI-generated content, DuckDuckGo plans to integrate similar controls into its existing privacy suite. Future updates to the “DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials” extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera will include settings to manage AI search preferences directly.

Despite this focus on “no-AI” search, DuckDuckGo maintains a presence in the AI sector. The company continues to offer its own AI chatbot and subscription services that provide access to various models, alongside tools such as VPNs and personal information removal services.