Inbizzy – DuckDuckGo, the privacy-first search engine, has officially rolled out a new feature that allows users to hide AI-generated images from their search results. This update comes in response to widespread global user feedback expressing frustration over AI images interfering with more relevant, authentic image searches.
With this new option, users can now filter out synthetic images directly from the Images tab by selecting a newly added dropdown titled “AI images.” Users can choose between “show” or “hide” to control whether they want to view AI-generated visuals.
Additionally, the setting can be turned on permanently through the main search settings by activating “Hide AI-Generated Images.”
Open-Source Technology Powers the Filter
DuckDuckGo confirmed that the filter relies on manually curated open-source blocklists, including the “nuclear” list from uBlockOrigin and the Huge AI Blocklist from uBlacklist.
“While it won’t catch 100% of AI-generated results, it will greatly reduce the number of AI-generated images you see,”- DuckDuckGo via X (formerly Twitter)See the official announcement https://x.com/DuckDuckGo/status/1944766330999013831
This announcement demonstrates DuckDuckGo’s ongoing commitment to balancing advanced technology with user transparency and trust.
Responding to the Rise of “AI Slop”
The new filter is launched amid growing concerns over the rise of what’s been dubbed “AI slop”-a surge of low-quality media content created with generative AI tools that often lacks accuracy or artistic merit.
To illustrate the usefulness of the new feature, DuckDuckGo provided an example search for “baby peacock.” This seemingly simple query had previously sparked criticism toward Google, after it returned mostly AI-generated results instead of real-life images of the bird.
More Filters Coming Soon
While this update marks a significant step toward improving search result quality, DuckDuckGo has hinted at plans to introduce more content filters in the near future. However, no specific rollout details have been shared yet.
