DuckDuckGo now allows you to filter AI-generated pictures out of your search outcomes.
The brand new setting seems in picture search and aligns with the corporate’s effort to make AI options “personal, helpful, and optionally available.”
What’s New
A brand new filter offers you extra management over how a lot AI you see whereas utilizing DuckDuckGo.
If you search within the Photos tab, you’ll now see a dropdown menu labeled “AI pictures,” with the flexibility to point out or conceal AI-generated visuals.
DuckDuckGo shared an instance on X:
New setting: conceal AI-generated pictures in DuckDuckGo
Our philosophy about AI options is “personal, helpful, and optionally available.” Our purpose is that can assist you discover what you’re searching for. It is best to resolve for your self how a lot AI you need in your life – or if you need any in any respect. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/pTolmsEQlQ
— DuckDuckGo (@DuckDuckGo) July 14, 2025
DuckDuckGo says the function gained’t eradicate all AI-generated pictures however will “drastically cut back” their look through the use of open-source blocklists. These embrace uBlockOrigin’s “nuclear” listing and the Big AI Blocklist curated by uBlacklist.
You can too activate the filter in your search settings beneath Conceal AI-Generated Photos, or go a step additional through the use of a devoted hyperlink: noai.duckduckgo.com. This model of DuckDuckGo robotically permits the picture filter, disables AI-assisted summaries, and hides Duck.ai chat icons.
What This Means
Whereas DuckDuckGo represents a smaller portion of the search market, its resolution to supply an AI picture filter displays a choice amongst some customers for the way they interact with serps.
This replace might point out curiosity in instruments that distinguish between human and machine-generated content material. For entrepreneurs and content material creators, it’s a reminder that:
- Consumer preferences fluctuate: Not all audiences welcome AI-generated visuals, and a few might actively filter them out.
- Authentic content material nonetheless issues: As filters grow to be extra frequent, human-created content material might maintain extra attraction for sure segments.
- Transparency can construct belief: Clearly labeling AI-assisted content material might assist keep credibility with customers who care about content material sources.
Why It Issues
This variation lands amid rising scrutiny of AI-generated content material throughout the net. Whereas different serps push deeper AI integration, DuckDuckGo is positioning itself as a platform the place you’ll be able to decide out.
Its use of community-maintained blocklists additionally reinforces its open-source-friendly and privacy-first philosophy. Utilizing proprietary content material detection methods may elevate questions on transparency.
As generative AI turns into extra frequent in search and content material workflows, consumer management may emerge as a aggressive differentiator. DuckDuckGo’s transfer indicators that for some customers, much less AI is perhaps extra.
Featured Picture: PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock
