Recently, at the Google I/O 2026 event, the company announced that it is upgrading Search with Gemini 3.5 Flash as the new default model in AI Mode for everyone globally. Google’s traditional list of blue links is replaced by an AI agent that answers queries, executes tasks and runs background monitoring. Well, this new upgrade has been facing backlash from users online lately, and many have started switching to DuckDuckGo.
DuckDuckGo is a privacy company known for its search engine, browser and optional AI. The company has always claimed that it does not collect users’ personal information for its own use, and all its AI features are optional. DuckDuckGo positions itself as ‘anti-Google’.
Users ditching this AI Search overhaul seem to benefit DuckDuckGo, as the company has reported a 30% week-over-week surge in US app installs. While making this announcement on the X platform, the company also took a slight dig at Google, stating, “Momentum is growing. It’s time to Fire Google.”
Reportedly, on iOS, the rate of installation is even higher, with week-over-week growth hitting a 30% average, peaking at 69.9%. It is also revealed that visits to noai.duckduckgo.com, the AI-free version of the search platform, have also surged, with an average week-over-week growth of 22.7%.
It appears that users are still inclined towards the traditional search experience, and Google’s AI Search overhaul could be the reason for the recent surge of DuckDuckGo.
