Last week, a woman I overheard on the phone said she was ditching Google for DuckDuckGo because she wants to “opt out of using AI.” She insisted, “Google isn’t Google anymore,” and it turns out she’s not alone in feeling this way.
At the recent I/O developer conference, Google announced it’s changing the way we search. The search box will become a more interactive experience. Instead of just showing a list of links, it will provide quick answers to questions using AI Overviews. You’ll be able to ask follow-up questions too. However, many users have expressed frustration. Some say these changes could hurt the open web and lead to inaccurate information.
This shift has driven some people to DuckDuckGo, a search engine focused on privacy that has struggled to compete, holding only about 2% of the U.S. search market. Recently, its CEO Gabriel Weinberg testified that Google’s exclusive contracts have complicated DuckDuckGo’s growth.
“Google is pushing AI without giving users a way to opt out,” Weinberg said. “As a result, their search results are getting worse, not better.”
Interestingly, DuckDuckGo is starting to see a boost in users as many move away from AI-based searches. During one week in May, app downloads jumped by over 18%, and on iOS, they nearly hit 70%. Visits to DuckDuckGo’s ad-free search page also saw strong growth.
Analysts at Apptopia confirmed this trend, noting a 29% increase in daily downloads in the U.S. Meanwhile, DuckDuckGo does have its own AI feature called Duck.ai, which is private and doesn’t require an account.
Weinberg highlighted the importance of choice and privacy. “Everything you do in DuckDuckGo is private. We don’t track your searches or use them for AI training.”
DuckDuckGo plans to introduce features like Search Assist and an AI Image Filter, which can compete with Google’s offerings but come from a different perspective. Users seem to appreciate the option to choose how much AI they want in their searches.
Despite Google’s changes, the company claims that its AI Mode has over a billion monthly users and that queries are doubling every quarter. These contrasting experiences offer insight into how users are beginning to value privacy and control over their search experience.
As technology advances, user preferences will likely shape the future of online search, possibly leading to a balance between AI enhancements and user choice.
Source link
AI search,DuckDuckGo,Google,google io 2026,Google Search
