# DuckDuckGo keeps surging on iPhone after Google’s AI search overhaul

> Source: <https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/02/duckduckgo-keeps-surging-on-iphone-after-googles-ai-search-overhaul/>
> Published: 2026-06-02 17:53:06+00:00

DuckDuckGo is riding a [fresh wave of user interest](https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/26/duckduckgo-sees-iphone-installs-spike-in-the-us-following-ai-announcements-at-google-i-o/) after Google’s AI-heavy search overhaul demoed at Google I/O. Here’s the latest data on the search engine’s recent success, which is especially strong among iPhone users.

## DuckDuckGo just set new all-time search traffic record

Last week [we reported](https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/26/duckduckgo-sees-iphone-installs-spike-in-the-us-following-ai-announcements-at-google-i-o/) that DuckDuckGo installs on iPhone spiked after Google’s AI search announcements at Google I/O.

Now today, the latest updates from the search provider prove that wasn’t a fluke, as DuckDuckGo just experienced its highest single-day search traffic ever.

Here are the latest updates, as shared with *9to5Mac* by DuckDuckGo’s team:

- Yesterday, Monday June 1st, DuckDuckGo search traffic
**recorded a new single day all time high**. This is due to elevated install levels over the last two weeks. - This past week, US installs were
**61% higher than the pre-announcement week**, peaking at** 76% above the pre-announcement**daily average on the strongest day (June 1). - iOS led all platforms: US iOS installs over the most recent week ran
**95% above the pre-announcement week. Almost 2x**. - DuckDuckGo is currently the
**most downloaded browser in the iOS app store** behind Chrome, ranking number 3 in the utilities chart.

DuckDuckGo isn’t anti-AI, but the search provider does offer a more traditional search experience than Google is pivoting to with its AI-heavy revamp.

Additionally, DuckDuckGo lets you disable all AI features by using [noai.duckduckgo.com](https://noai.duckduckgo.com). With Google, that option doesn’t exist.

I’ve long used DuckDuckGo as my default search engine in Safari across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. So it’s good to see the company find a new level of success, sparked inadvertently by AI.

Who’s your go-to search provider, and why? Let us know in the comments.

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