Google announced a major overhaul to Search that replaces traditional blue links with an AI agent that answers questions, executes tasks, and runs background monitoring agents. The change triggered backlash over concerns that it could harm the open web, produce inaccurate AI responses, and reduce user control for people who do not want AI. Critics also said it makes simple searches more complicated. In response, some users moved to DuckDuckGo, a privacy-focused search engine that has historically held a small share of the U.S. market. DuckDuckGo reported that U.S. app installs rose week-over-week in late May, with higher growth on iOS, suggesting consumers are fleeing AI-driven search experiences.
"At I/O, Google's annual developer conference, the company said its traditional list of blue links is being replaced by an AI agent that answers queries, executes tasks, and runs background monitoring agents. The backlash has been sharp. Some have argued it will kill the open web, while others shared concerns that AI overviews surface inaccurate responses and take away control from users who might not want to use AI. It also overcomplicates simple things. Just try to Google the word " disregard.""
"In response to Google's changes, many have begun defecting to DuckDuckGo, a privacy-focused alternative that has never been able to break past Google's dominance, accounting for only around 2% of the U.S. search market. During Google's search antitrust trial in 2023, DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg testified that Google's exclusive default search contracts harmed its ability to pitch itself as the default on other browsers."
""Google is force-feeding AI with no way to opt out," Weinberg said Tuesday in a statement, referring to Google's Search overhaul. "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.""
"DuckDuckGo said U.S. app installs went up 18.1% week-over-week on average during the May 20 to May 25 period, compared to May 13 to May 18. The company said that growth was sustained for six consecutive days and peaked at 30.5% on May 25. On iOS, the rate of install is even higher, with week-over-week growth hitting a 33% average, peaking at 69.9%."
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