DuckDuckGo installs rise 30% after Google adds AI search

A significant number of users are migrating to the privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo following Google's recent overhaul of its core search product, which now prominently features AI-generated answers. Data indicates a sharp increase in DuckDuckGo's app installations and web traffic in the days after Google's announcement.

Google unveiled the changes at its annual developer conference, describing the shift as its biggest upgrade to Search in 25 years. The new experience replaces the traditional list of blue links with an AI agent designed to answer queries directly, summarize information, and perform tasks. Google has been integrating these AI Overviews and conversational tools more deeply into its search results.

The rollout has prompted criticism from some users and industry observers. Concerns cited include the potential for AI to produce unreliable or inaccurate responses, a perceived degradation in the usefulness of search results, and the lack of an option to opt out of the AI features entirely. Some argue the change complicates simple searches and reduces user control.

In response, DuckDuckGo reported a notable surge in usage. According to data shared by the company,...