DuckDuckGo Sees 30% Surge in US Installations After Google I/O 2026 AI Announcement
DuckDuckGo has reported a 30% surge in installations in the United States following Google’s announcement at the Google I/O 2026 conference last week. During the annual event, Google revealed plans to expand its Search AI integration, a feature prioritising artificial intelligence (AI) in search results.
The company stated that app installations in the US rose an average of 18.1% week-on-week between 20-25 May compared to 13-18 May. The increase persisted for six consecutive days post-Google I/O, peaking at 30.5% on 25 May.
According to DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg, the rise in downloads is due to users growing weary of AI dominating Google’s search results. ‘People do not want to be forced to use AI in their search experience,’ Weinberg said, as reported by KompasTekno citing TechCrunch.
Weinberg added that some users are seeking simpler search experiences without AI summaries, chatbots, or automated answers. He criticised Google for ‘pushing’ AI usage in its search engine without offering a full option to disable it.
In response, DuckDuckGo introduced a no-AI search page at noai.duckduckgo.com, providing a traditional search experience with plain website links instead of automatic AI summaries.
It is worth noting that Google already offers a web filter for users wanting traditional blue-link results. In Indonesia, DuckDuckGo’s URL remains blocked under TrustPositif’s list, requiring additional steps for access.
Google has increasingly integrated AI into its search engine, moving beyond displaying website links to providing direct AI-generated answers. Alongside the AI Overview feature that auto-summarises information on search pages, Google has introduced an AI search mode functioning like a chatbot.
The changes have elicited mixed reactions. Some users appreciate the speed and convenience of AI answers, while others feel the traditional browsing experience is diminishing. Media companies and website owners are concerned that AI-generated answers may reduce traffic to original sites.