DuckDuckGo Installs Surge 30.5% After Google’s AI Search Overhaul

[Monroe]

DuckDuckGo Installs Surge 30.5% After Google’s AI Search Overhaul

06/01/2026 // Chase Codewell

https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-06-01-duckduckgo-installs-surge-after-google-search-overhaul.html

DuckDuckGo's US app installs surged 30.5% week-over-week on May 25, 2026, following Google's announcement at its I/O developer conference that it would replace traditional search listings with an AI-driven agent, according to data from app analytics firms cited by ReclaimTheNet and TechCrunch. The growth marked a significant shift in user behavior, with many citing dissatisfaction with Google's new direction.

The surge began shortly after Google's May 2026 keynote, during which the company described the overhaul as the "biggest upgrade to our iconic search box since its debut over 25 years ago," according to TechCrunch's report. The new system, which the company called an AI agent, answers queries, executes tasks, and runs background monitoring functions without explicit user opt-in, according to the announcement.

Between May 20 and May 25, DuckDuckGo's US app installs climbed an average of 18.1% week over week compared to the prior period, according to ReclaimTheNet.

more .....

 

[NotHereToPlayGames]

Interesting!

Though I am surprised that INSTALLS are up.  I tried the DDG "browser" and HATED IT!

I do love their NON-AI search  --  ht tps://noai.duckduckgo.com/?q=<string>

[Monroe]

36 minutes ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

Interesting!

Though I am surprised that INSTALLS are up.  I tried the DDG "browser" and HATED IT!

I do love their NON-AI search  --  ht tps://noai.duckduckgo.com/?q=<string>

I also didn't like their browser. My main search engine for now is Startpage and then DuckDuckGo.

Startpage advertises : 'The world’s most private search engine.' ... I don't know, have to take their word on that I guess.

https://www.startpage.com/en/

I just use links separate from any browser.

...

 

[Nokiamies]

6 hours ago, Monroe said:

I also didn't like their browser. My main search engine for now is Startpage and then DuckDuckGo.

Startpage advertises : 'The world’s most private search engine.' ... I don't know, have to take their word on that I guess.

https://www.startpage.com/en/

I just use links separate from any browser.

...

 

I would say that really does not matter, I lived long enough to know that no company actually cares for what they claim do. They only care from profit since that is only reason one will set up company in the first place. I am not saying you are not allowed make profit, rather for consumer take anything they say with grain of salt. Lets start off with duckduckgo. This one is easy. Using tracert that is standard on pretty much any operating system type tracert duckduckgo.com. Here is few interesting parts tracert showed me on 4 different systems.

Quote

ae23-0.ear01.hel01.ntwk.msn.net [51.10.27.123]
be20.ibr01.hel01.ntwk.msn.net [104.44.20.197]
be8.ibr01.ham30.ntwk.msn.net [104.44.19.184]
be3.ibr01.ham31.ntwk.msn.net [104.44.28.245]
be1.ibr02.ham31.ntwk.msn.net [104.44.28.242]
be7.owr02.ams11.ntwk.msn.net [104.44.28.11]
be1.owr02.ams12.ntwk.msn.net [104.44.53.4]
po1012.rwa04.ams12.ntwk.msn.net [104.44.53.88]

for me their end server ip is 40.114.177.156 which according to whois (https://www.whois.com/whois/40.114.177.156) is owned by Microsoft Corporation. Why would company that swears by privacy host their stuff on Microsoft servers as MS will get access on anything you do. No need believe me, do it yourself and find out yourself.

Also ddg founder Gabriel Weinberg used to run highly controversial names database which he sold to classmatesdotcom which is far from ethical company either. One thing I learnt is that people never change after certain point. They just hit on privacy trend that growing up.

As for startpage. Remember it was sold to system1 which all sudden was privacy one after it (https://www.startpage.com/privacy-please/startpage-articles/startpage-and-privacy-one-group) and lets look them up and look first text from their site (https://system1.com/what-we-do)

Quote

What We Do

System1 is an Industry-leading omnichannel digital marketing platform, powered by Machine Learning and AI, that monetizes internet traffic by putting the right ads in front of the right people at the right time.  

does that sound private to you? For me not.

 

And before someone say I am google or some other shill, I am not. I am just pointing out these facts. My rule with search engines is use one that can find information needed and use them as little as you need. At the end of the day search engine is just database of websites with ability to look up data. I have worked on enough companies to know that all they care in the end is profit, nothing else matters. No corporation is your friend and they will screw you over if it helps them make more profit.

Edited 15 hours ago by Nokiamies

[NotHereToPlayGames]

Well, um, while I agree, there's so much to say here that I'm not going to waste "too much" of my time, just a little to "feed the beast" and get it off my chest.

First, yeah, I used startpage about a decade or two ago and stopped because of ADS !!!
But I'm smarter today about things like uBO and Stylus that while they may not "block" all of the ads (and telemetry tracking), they do keep them OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND.

Second, and no offense, but all of the "just for profit" 'talk' here at MSFN as a whole kind of TICKS ME OFF !!!
Without profit of some degree, we may as well all be living in the SIXTEEN HUNDREDS !!!  (I'm not technically sure what century to use, but you get the idea.)
Where are we gonna draw the line?  I can point to AT LEAST a *DOZEN* posts here at MSFN biatching and moaning about "profits".
WTF!?  Is MSFN a "talk about technology" forum?  Or a biatch and moan about politics &/or different styles of socio-economics?  ??? ??? ???
Like SERIOUSLY, the FIRST person to "say that" here at MSFN should be PATTING HIMSELF ON THE BACK because "profits" have leaked into ALL TOPICS.
Congratulations!  Your anti-profit stance has gone VIRAL!  !!! !!! !!!
Don't INTENTIONALLY misread that!  There IS a difference between X% profits versus Y% profits.
But again, live in the DARK AGES if "profits" p#ss you off so much !!!

If you don't like "profits", then don't live in a HOUSE (the GREEDIEST of all industries!), don't own a computer or phone, don't own a car, live NAKED and not wear clothes unless your yourself grew the cotton, loomed it into a fabric, and needle-and-thread'd it into shirts, pants, socks, and undergarments, don't eat at restaurants EVER, don't buy groceries to feed your family, don't ever give money to a CHURCH, just live under a bridge somewhere and solicit every passerby to feed you for the day.  Don't ever ask them where they got the dollar they just GAVE YOU, just take it from them with a SMILE on your "greedy" face for wanting THEIR lifestyle able to feed not only themselves, but also FEED YOU.

</rant over>

Edited 12 hours ago by NotHereToPlayGames

[Nokiamies]

3 hours ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:

Second, and no offense, but all of the "just for profit" 'talk' here at MSFN as a whole kind of TICKS ME OFF !!!
Without profit of some degree, we may as well all be living in the SIXTEEN HUNDREDS !!!  (I'm not technically sure what century to use, but you get the idea.)
Where are we gonna draw the line?  I can point to AT LEAST a *DOZEN* posts here at MSFN biatching and moaning about "profits".
WTF!?  Is MSFN a "talk about technology" forum?  Or a biatch and moan about politics &/or different styles of socio-economics?  ??? ??? ???
Like SERIOUSLY, the FIRST person to "say that" here at MSFN should be PATTING HIMSELF ON THE BACK because "profits" have leaked into ALL TOPICS.
Congratulations!  Your anti-profit stance has gone VIRAL!  !!! !!! !!!
Don't INTENTIONALLY misread that!  There IS a difference between X% profits versus Y% profits.
But again, live in the DARK AGES if "profits" p#ss you off so much !!!

If you don't like "profits", then don't live in a HOUSE (the GREEDIEST of all industries!), don't own a computer or phone, don't own a car, live NAKED and not wear clothes unless your yourself grew the cotton, loomed it into a fabric, and needle-and-thread'd it into shirts, pants, socks, and undergarments, don't eat at restaurants EVER, don't buy groceries to feed your family, don't ever give money to a CHURCH, just live under a bridge somewhere and solicit every passerby to feed you for the day.  Don't ever ask them where they got the dollar they just GAVE YOU, just take it from them with a SMILE on your "greedy" face for wanting THEIR lifestyle able to feed not only themselves, but also FEED YOU.

</rant over>

read this part again

5 hours ago, Nokiamies said:

I would say that really does not matter, I lived long enough to know that no company actually cares for what they claim do. They only care from profit since that is only reason one will set up company in the first place. I am not saying you are not allowed make profit, rather for consumer take anything they say with grain of salt.

I wanted to point out that whenever company plays your friend or good guy they do not have your best interest in mind rather theirs. You should never ever worship brand into point where you blindly believe all they say and cannot question it at all. You are walking wallet for company so use that for your advantage. They want your money, but you do not have to give it to them if you think they do not deserve it. Back in the day there used to be this vote with your wallet way that is mocked these days as stupid by consumertards. I still do that. I do not buy goods that ethics I cant agree with UNLESS they are required for living. You need house, food, running water, electricity and if live in middle of nowhere and happen to be crippled need automobile of some sort and petrol or diesel, but you DO NOT NEED buy latest AAA titles or new smartphone yearly if disagree with company ethics. You need to find golden mean between bending over and lubing up all the way and living in the forest.

Edited 10 hours ago by Nokiamies