DuckDuckGo usage surges as users abandon Google’s AI‑driven search

DuckDuckGo, which does not display AI‑generated answers by default, is attracting users dissatisfied with Google’s new AI‑enhanced search results. The search engine recorded its highest single‑day traffic ever, driven by a wave of app installations on iPhone. In the United States, installations rose 61% week‑over‑week and peaked at 76% above the previous daily average, while weekly iOS installs jumped 95% compared with the prior week. DuckDuckGo has become the most downloaded utility‑category app on the App Store, trailing only Chrome overall. The growth reflects a broader demand for privacy‑focused, non‑AI search experiences.

The trend, first noted in Spain‑based reporting, suggests the shift could spread to other markets if Google’s AI integration continues to alienate users seeking traditional search results.