I found 5 search engines that don't force AI summaries on every search

A close-up photograph of a person's hands typing on a backlit laptop keyboard — (Image credit: Getty Images)

I honestly get why AI summaries on top of search results are useful. Why click through 10 links that might have the answers you’re looking for when a direct answer to your question is available?

But there is another side to the story. On an internet already shaped by algorithms, some users aren’t ready to hand over the steering wheel entirely as they navigate the online world.

There are, however, several options to choose from if you still want to discover new websites and information without letting an AI bot tell you what it thinks you should know. If you’re looking for browsers that let you forgo AI-generated responses, here are some free options to consider.

1. DuckDuckGo

The DuckDuckGo app page on a smartphone and the DuckDuckGo web page. — (Image credit: Ascannio/Shutterstock)

Known for its privacy-centered philosophy, DuckDuckGo has embraced the AI era but still lets users decide where and how often they want AI-assisted answers to appear in their sessions.

DuckDuckGo became the first major search engine to let users filter out AI-generated images from search results. Similarly, it lets users determine how often AI search assist answers should be generated for their search queries. You can reduce their frequency or switch them off entirely.

DuckDuckGo says it recognizes “not everyone wants AI in their lives right now, which is why all our AI features are optional and can be turned off or tuned down from your search and browser settings.”

2. Brave

The Brave web browser logo displayed on the screen of a MacBook.

(Image credit: 24K-Production/Shutterstock)

If you’re using Brave for the first time, AI summaries are turned on by default. However, it’s relatively easy to turn off AI in Brave Search in just a few clicks.

One of Brave’s biggest selling points is independence. Its results are based on its own search index rather than relying entirely on Google or Bing. The company also says it does not sell your data to other companies because it does not collect it in the first place.

So if you’re not only concerned about AI summaries, consider Brave if you’re looking for something outside the traditional search ecosystem.

Brave’s search engine entered the world in 2021, with co-founder and Mozilla alum Brendan Eich saying they will give users "the control and confidence they seek in alternatives to big tech."

3. Mojeek

A zoomed-in image of a hand typing on a laptop. The laptop is bathed in red and blue light — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Similar to Brave, Mojeek also has its own crawler, meaning that its search results aren’t powered by Google or Bing.

The advantage Mojeek offers is that AI summaries are turned off by default. For each of your searches, Mojeek does offer to summarize the results for you but you’re absolutely free to not click on this feature. You’ll just get a good old-fashioned list of links to click through.

4. Qwant

A man lies in bed looking at his phone, which shines a bright light into his face — (Image credit: Getty Images)

First launched in France and Germany, Qwant is a search engine hosted in Europe that positions itself as an alternative to US big tech, although it uses APIs from the likes of Bing. Nevertheless, its search results are devoid of AI responses.

Interestingly in 2020, Qwant announced it was closing access to its services in certain countries. The company did not disclose which ones it was referring to but it said affected users could still use a VPN.

Some of you have reported difficulties using Qwant in several countries around the world. It is a difficult decision but we have decided to close access to our services in certain countries where we don’t believe to provide the expected quality of service. Our apologies for this.December 16, 2020

5. Startpage

A close up of a person's hands typing on a laptop — (Image credit: Getty Images)

With a headquarters in the Netherlands, Startpage is another example of a privacy-centric search engine. Your personal data and search history are never recorded and the results are not tailored to your profile. This means that if two users at opposite ends of the globe run the same search query, they’ll both see the same list of links.

If you plan on using Startpage’s search bar you won’t see any AI summaries injected at the top.

The company does however operate a standalone AI chat app with access to models from OpenAI, Perplexity, and Anthropic. The app is not required to use the search engine, but it does highlight how many of these companies are also leaning into AI.

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