This AI-free Google alternative is surging in popularity - how to try it for yourself

Innovation Home Innovation Artificial Intelligence This AI-free Google alternative is surging in popularity - how to try it for yourself DuckDuckGo is an AI-free alternative to Google's AI-based overviews, attracting more people who prefer traditional search results. Written by Lance Whitney, ContributorContributor May 27, 2026 at 11:01 a.m. PT

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• DuckDuckGo has seen a surge in users and installs.
• You can easily use DuckDuckGo without any AI.
• This makes it a good alternative to Google's AI Overviews.

Do you use Google for your searches but don't want all the AI slop? There is an alternative that's growing in popularity, and its name is DuckDuckGo.

Like many companies, Google has been adding more AI to its products and services -- and that includes its dominant search engine. Run a Google search, and instead of getting the traditional results, you're likely to be hit with an AI overview that may or may not answer your question and may or may not be accurate.

Also: I found an easy way to automatically keep AI out of my search results - and it works in nearly every browser

At its recent 2026 I/O conference, Google unveiled a slew of AI upgrades to search. Among them are a new AI search box, agents that can find things for you, links to local businesses, and the ability to serve up more personalized answers. On the surface, those enhancements sound promising. But then we go back to the flaws and fallibilities of AI.

The surging interest in DuckDuckGo 

Though its accuracy may have improved over time, AI can still make mistakes. You can't be certain whether the information in the AI overview is correct. Further, the overview may not fully or adequately answer your question. For those and other reasons, many people are turning away from AI-powered searches toward a more classic approach. And that brings us to DuckDuckGo.

Since Google's AI-based announcements at I/O 2026, DuckDuckGo has seen a surge in users and installs.

"People aren't just complaining about Google's AI search overhaul, they're leaving," DuckDuckGo said in a Tuesday post on X. "Yesterday alone, our week-over-week installs surged 30% in the US. Momentum is growing. It's time to fire Google."

Also: Sick of AI in Search? These 7 Google alternatives still put links first

Here, DuckDuckGo is referring to installations of its mobile apps for iOS and Android in the US, which peaked at 30.5% on May 25, reported TechCrunch. That surge came after a 18.1% growth spurt from May 20 to May 25, compared with May 13 to May 18. For iOS alone, growth was even higher, averaging 33% and reaching a peak of 69.9%.

Visits to DuckDuckGo's no-AI search page, which disables AI-generated features by default, rose by an average of 22.7% week-over-week with a peak of 27.7% on May 24. The latest growth rates follow May 19, the same day as Google's I/O event.

Your options for AI-free and private searching and browsing 

With all these new users, how can you tap into DuckDuckGo for AI-free and private searching and browsing?

First up is the website/search engine. At the regular site, you can decide whether you want to run a search without AI-generated results or chat with an AI bot. The choice is yours. Either way, DuckDuckGo promises that your searches remain private.

If you opt for AI, you can choose among several models, including GPT-5 mini, GPT-4o mini, Claude Haiku 4.5, and Mistral Small 4. A paid subscription to the DuckDuckGo Plus plan or Pro plan offers access to more AI models.

Want to avoid AI altogether? Just head to DuckDuckGo's no-AI site. This one turns off AI-assisted answers and removes AI-generated images. Your searches display the usual results and are private to boot.

Also: Google's new AI Search box is here - along with agents and 5 more upgrades

Another option is to grab the DuckDuckGo browser. Here, you're able to search and surf the web privately. Again, you can decide whether to run a regular search or one with AI in mind. The Windows and macOS apps also let you switch between traditional and AI-powered search. The iOS and Android apps act as web browsers and search tools with or without AI.

DuckDuckGo is worth using for its privacy protections alone. But if you're tired of the AI slop that pops up when you use Google, that's all the more reason to give DuckDuckGo a shot.

Artificial Intelligence

I compared how Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude can analyze videos - this model wins How to learn Claude Code for free with Anthropic's AI courses - one took me just 20 minutes I tested ChatGPT vs. Claude to see which is better - and if it's worth switching 7 AI coding techniques I use to ship real, reliable products - fast

• I compared how Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude can analyze videos - this model wins
• How to learn Claude Code for free with Anthropic's AI courses - one took me just 20 minutes
• I tested ChatGPT vs. Claude to see which is better - and if it's worth switching
• 7 AI coding techniques I use to ship real, reliable products - fast

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