DuckDuckGo installs jump 30% as users reject Google's AI-heavy search

DuckDuckGo has seen a sharp rise in users following Google's expansion of AI features in its search engine. Over the past week, installs of the DuckDuckGo app increased by as much as 30%, according to data from the company.

The growth follows Google's recent large-scale overhaul of Google Search, which significantly increased the role of AI in the product. Instead of returning a simple list of links, the search engine now generates expanded AI-based answers.

The change has drawn criticism from parts of the user base. Some argued the shift could damage the open web, while others raised concerns that AI overviews surface inaccurate answers and strip control away from users who may not want to rely on AI in the first place. There were also complaints that the new system overcomplicates basic interactions, with AI search now interpreting short, simple phrases as personal commands.

DuckDuckGo positions itself as a privacy-focused alternative to Google Search, with a strong emphasis on giving users the option to avoid AI entirely. The company currently holds less than 2% of the U.S. search market, but the recent backlash appears to be working in its favor.

According to DuckDuckGo, U.S. app installs rose by an average of 18.1% week-over-week between May 20 and May 25, compared to the previous week. The growth was sustained over six consecutive days and peaked at 30.5% on May 25. On iOS, the increase was even more pronounced, averaging 33% week-over-week and peaking at nearly 70%.

The company also reported a rise in traffic to its no-AI search page, where all AI features are disabled by default. Visits to that page increased by an average of 22.7% week-over-week, peaking at 27.7% on May 24. DuckDuckGo noted that the trend was particularly strong in the United States.