DuckDuckGo installs surge amid Google AI Search backlash

DuckDuckGo has seen a significant increase in U.S. app installs, with week-over-week growth peaking at 30.5%, following Google's integration of AI into its search engine. Many users are reportedly switching to DuckDuckGo to avoid Google's new AI-driven search experience, which they feel is intrusive and offers less user control. The privacy-focused search engine is highlighting its AI-free search page and user-centric approach as key differentiators. This surge suggests a growing user preference for choice and privacy in search, even as DuckDuckGo itself offers its own AI products.