DuckDuckGo has seen a significant boost in user adoption following Google's announcement of major changes to its search engine. The privacy-focused browser reported that U.S. app installs increased 18.1% week-over-week on average between May 20 and May 25, compared to the previous week. This growth held steady for six consecutive days, peaking at 30.5% on May 25. iOS users showed even more enthusiasm, with install growth averaging 33% week-over-week during the same period.
At Google's I/O developer conference, the company unveiled plans to transform its search box into a conversational engine that expands for longer queries and anticipates user intent. Rather than returning a list of links, Google's AI Overviews will now answer questions directly. The company also introduced a more integrated AI Mode, allowing users to ask follow-up questions within AI Overviews. A Google spokesperson noted that AI Overviews have existed for two years and AI Mode is not the default setting, but the backlash has been substantial. Critics have argued the changes could harm the open web, surface inaccurate information, and strip away user control over their search experience.
DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg testified during Google's 2023 search antitrust trial that the company's exclusive default search contracts had harmed DuckDuckGo's ability to compete. Responding to Google's latest overhaul, Weinberg issued a statement saying, "Google is force-feeding AI with no way to opt out. As a result, their results are getting worse, not better. We want to be the place that puts users in charge and allows them to decide how much or how little AI they want." Despite the surge in downloads, DuckDuckGo still holds only about 2% of the U.S. search market, far behind Google's dominant position.