this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2026
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Yeah. I'm actually kind of upset that I have to type 'noai'. That should be the standard.
I hope they learn their lesson from their own poll.
I mean, the poll was like as not a publicity stunt, to draw attention to the fact DDG is not doing AI. All the same, the fact they are making "no AI" a selling point is noteworthy.
EDIT: I stand corrected -- apparently DDG does do AI presently. Hopefully they're serious about reconsidering that, then.
They are, unless you opt out.
exactly.
Thanks for the correction! I updated my comment to mention it.
I still get a bunch of AI bullshit unless I go out of my way. Also I swear they keep reactivating it as much as google when you opt out (or select ddg no ai as your search engine in Firefox and still see that garbage).
Thanks for the correction, I was indeed wrong about that. I updated my comment accordingly.
test
I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt for now.
You can turn all the AI features off on regular DDG search settings. Best I can tell that achuevescthe same as using the no AI filter.
Except it’s not very good. I turn it off and still get AI pictures and videos, and it gets rid of some pictures I know aren’t AI.
I’m looking forward to adding it to my browser settings as default search!
Already doable in Firefox, just right click in the search box then add search engine ;)
Just edit the ddg entry instead of adding a new one. It’s super easy to change the url for the search in settings.
I don't know how you do that. I can't edit the standard DDG on desktop at all. Didn't see anything at first glance in about:config either.
Easier to me to just add a new engine.
PR stunt exposed
I'm pretty sure it asks you how often you want to see the AI overview doesn't it? Can't you just click never?
I like kagi's approach of generating an AI overview if you end your query with a question mark. Is this a search or a question?
I'm not a fan of Kagi's approach to anything, frankly. The fact that they're charging money for a search engine, and using an LLM? Hard pass.
How dare they charge money instead of selling data or ads!?
I don't have a problem with them selling ads. I have a problem with the insidious tracking that has become a part of those ads. Mojeek sells ads but doesn't track you everywhere. Also, there's SearX instances, which typically don't sell ads or data.
They also don't use LLMs. If you think Kagi isn't giving away or selling your data, think again, because the LLM is doing it as a core function.