DuckDuckGo now permits you to filter AI-generated photos out of your search outcomes.
The brand new setting seems in picture search and aligns with the corporate’s effort to make AI options “non-public, helpful, and elective.”
What’s New
A brand new filter provides you extra management over how a lot AI you see whereas utilizing DuckDuckGo.
If you search within the Pictures tab, you’ll now see a dropdown menu labeled “AI photos,” with the flexibility to indicate or disguise AI-generated visuals.
DuckDuckGo shared an instance on X:
New setting: disguise AI-generated photos in DuckDuckGo
Our philosophy about AI options is “non-public, helpful, and elective.” Our aim is that can assist you discover what you’re searching for. You must determine 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 characteristic gained’t eradicate all AI-generated photos however will “significantly cut back” their look through the use of open-source blocklists. These embrace uBlockOrigin’s “nuclear” listing and the Large AI Blocklist curated by uBlacklist.
You too can activate the filter in your search settings underneath Disguise AI-Generated Pictures, or go a step additional through the use of a devoted hyperlink: noai.duckduckgo.com. This model of DuckDuckGo routinely allows 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 choice to supply an AI picture filter displays a desire amongst some customers for a way they have interaction with serps.
This replace could 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:
- Person preferences fluctuate: Not all audiences welcome AI-generated visuals, and a few could actively filter them out.
- Authentic content material nonetheless issues: As filters turn out to be extra frequent, human-created content material could maintain extra attraction for sure segments.
- Transparency can construct belief: Clearly labeling AI-assisted content material could assist preserve credibility with customers who care about content material sources.
Why It Issues
This transformation lands amid rising scrutiny of AI-generated content material throughout the online. Whereas different serps push deeper AI integration, DuckDuckGo is positioning itself as a platform the place you’ll be able to choose out.
Its use of community-maintained blocklists additionally reinforces its open-source-friendly and privacy-first philosophy. Utilizing proprietary content material detection programs 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 alerts that for some customers, much less AI is perhaps extra.
Featured Picture: PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock
