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Here's How to Hide AI-Generated Images in Search Results in DuckDuckGo

AI-generated images are everywhere, but this tool can reduce how many you see.

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Headshot of Zachary McAuliffe
Zachary McAuliffe Staff writer
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With a new tool built into DuckDuckGo's privacy-focused search engine, you can hide AI-generated images from your search results, which could help ensure you see fewer misleading or fake photos. The filter isn't on by default, though, so you have to enable it. Here's how.

1. Go to duckduckgo.com.
2. Search for an image, something like "baby peacock."
3. Go to the Images tab. 
4. Click AI Images: show to open a dropdown menu.
5. Click Hide.  

DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo said in an email to CNET that the image filter relies on open-source blocklists from uBlockOrigin and uBlacklist Huge AI Blocklist.

CNET's Katelyn Chedraoui covers AI, like chatbots and image generators, and she thinks tools like this are a great way to give people more control over their search experiences. However, she said these tools aren't perfect. 

"AI images are impossible to escape online," Chedraoui said. "There's no silver bullet for weeding out AI."

DuckDuckGo conceded in its email to CNET that this filter won't stop every AI-generated image result. But the company said that the filter "will greatly reduce the number of AI-generated images you see." 

The company said it plans on adding more filters in the future.

For more on DuckDuckGo, here's what to know about the privacy-focused search engine, five reasons why you should use it and what to know about its VPN service.

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