Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo has introduced an optional filter that allows users to exclude AI-generated images from search results. The setting, available from 18 July, appears as an “AI images” drop-down in the Images tab and can also be activated in general search settings under “Hide AI-Generated Images.” The company says the move answers complaints that synthetic pictures clutter searches and obscure authentic photographs. Filtering relies on manually curated, open-source blocklists, including uBlockOrigin’s “nuclear” list and the uBlacklist Huge AI Blocklist. While the tool will not catch every AI-generated file, DuckDuckGo expects it to substantially reduce the volume visible to users. DuckDuckGo added that it is working on additional content filters but has not given a timetable. The step comes as major search providers wrestle with a surge of low-quality generative AI material that can degrade the usefulness of image results.