DuckDuckGo is growing thanks to Google users frustrated by AI features

DuckDuckGo saw a post-Google I/O surge in U.S. mobile app installs and visits to its no-AI search page.

The company said the spike peaked in late May and was concentrated in the U.S., suggesting a reaction to Google’s AI-heavy search changes.

DuckDuckGo is positioning itself as a privacy-focused alternative that keeps AI optional instead of default.

The trend highlights growing user demand for more control over search experiences and the ability to opt out of AI features.