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DuckDuckGo’s search settings let you change how results are filtered and displayed, control features such as autocomplete and AI-image filtering, and manage location and blocked sites. Open DuckDuckGo Settings, choose a section, adjust the controls you need, then select Save and Exit. This guide covers the current Search Settings page, browser-specific differences, URL parameters, and ways to keep or restore your preferences.
Where are DuckDuckGo’s settings?
For DuckDuckGo Search, go directly to duckduckgo.com/settings. The current page has four tabs: General, Appearance, Privacy, and AI Features. Many controls are in General; the AI-image option may also be available under AI Features. After making changes, select Save and Exit.
These are search-engine preferences, not necessarily the same as settings for the DuckDuckGo Browser app. The browser has its own Settings interface, and some options use different labels or are saved differently. Where instructions below refer specifically to Search Settings, they mean the settings page at duckduckgo.com/settings.
What can I change in DuckDuckGo Search Settings?
The General tab includes controls for search region, language, filtering, result behavior, location, and other interface preferences. The exact options can depend on the current interface; the labels below are those shown on the current settings page.
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| Setting | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Region | Preferred region for search results. |
| Display Language | Language used for buttons, settings, and labels. |
| Safe Search | Whether objectionable, mostly adult, material is omitted from results. |
| Instant Answers | Whether relevant Instant Answers open automatically. |
| Hide AI-Generated Images | Filters known AI-spam sites from image-search results; it does not identify every AI-generated image. |
| Infinite Scroll for Images, Videos, and Shopping | Loads more results as you scroll those result types. |
| Infinite Scroll | Loads more ordinary search results as you scroll. |
| Autocomplete Suggestions | Shows suggestions beneath the search box as you type. |
| Open Links in a New Tab | Opens result links in a new window or tab. |
| Advertisements | Controls whether ads appear. |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Enables or disables keyboard navigation shortcuts. |
| Units of Measure | Sets the units used for measurements. |
| Location | Manages location information used for local results. |
| Map Rendering | Controls the map-rendering preference. |
| Video Previews on Hover | Controls video previews when pointing at a result. |
| Blocked Sites | Manages domains hidden from search results. |
| Page Break Numbers and Page Break Lines | Controls page-break indicators in results. |
| Install DuckDuckGo | Provides an installation option. |
| Privacy Newsletters and Homepage Privacy Tips | Controls related informational features. |
| Help Improve DuckDuckGo | Controls participation in the feature identified by that label. |
DuckDuckGo’s settings page is the best place to change most preferences because it presents the available controls directly. URL parameters offer a second method for a subset of settings, particularly when you want a bookmark or homepage to start searches with chosen preferences.
How do I change Safe Search or filter AI-generated images?
Safe Search and the AI-image filter affect different things: Safe Search filters objectionable, mostly adult, material, while the AI-image control filters known AI-spam domains from image results. You can configure the former in General or from a results page, and use the image-results filter or settings page for the latter.
Set Safe Search
In Search Settings, use the Safe Search control. You can also change it from the dropdown below the search box on a results page. DuckDuckGo documents three URL values: kp=1 for strict/on, kp=-1 for moderate, and kp=-2 for off. The documented meaning of moderate is that explicit results are not shown. For example, https://duckduckgo.com/?q=search&kp=-1&kl=us-en requests a search with moderate Safe Search and the United States region. See the Safe Search help page and settings parameter reference.
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Hide AI-generated images
On image results, select the AI images filter and choose Hide to reload the results without the content that filter detects. Alternatively, go to Search Settings > General or Search Settings > AI Features and enable Hide AI-Generated Images. In the DuckDuckGo Browser, the corresponding path is Settings > AI Features, where the option is labeled Hide AI Images. The browser also offers Use DuckDuckGo Without AI, which removes Search Assist answers, Duck.ai prompts and entry points, and AI-generated images.
The filter relies on publicly available lists, including the uBlockOrigin & uBlacklist Huge AI Blocklist. Those lists are not exhaustive, so some AI-generated images can remain visible. For a no-AI search entry point, DuckDuckGo provides noai.duckduckgo.com.
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How do I block a website from DuckDuckGo results?
To hide a domain in future searches, use the result’s menu and choose Block this site from all results. This blocks results from the domain and also removes Instant Answers sourced from it.
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- Find a result from the domain you want to hide.
- Select the ••• icon beside that result.
- Choose Block this site from all results.
- To review or manage blocked domains later, open Search Settings and use Blocked Sites.
DuckDuckGo currently allows up to five domains in the blocked-sites list. To temporarily see results from blocked domains without deleting them, select Show all results at the top of the results page. Select Hide blocked sites from results to apply the block list again.
For a one-query exclusion, use -site:example.com; this does not add the domain to your blocked list. To search only within a domain, use site:example.com. The distinction matters: the minus-site operator changes one query, while the menu action persists as a blocked-site preference. See DuckDuckGo’s site-blocking instructions.
How do I change location settings or fix local results?
DuckDuckGo’s Location control is in Search Settings. If local results do not work, the browser or device may be denying the site permission to access location. The steps differ by browser and operating system.
Clear location information
In Search Settings, scroll to Location and select Clear. From a Map Instant Answer or Expanded Map, select Clear & Disable to revoke the location setting there. DuckDuckGo documents these controls in its local results help.
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- Chrome, Firefox, or Brave: select the permissions icon in the address bar and allow location access.
- Firefox fallback: open ≡ Menu > Preferences > Privacy & Security > Permissions > Location > Settings. Make sure Block new requests asking to access your location is unchecked.
- Safari: open Safari menu > Settings for DuckDuckGo… and set Location to Allow. If needed, use Safari menu > Websites > Location and set
duckduckgo.comto Allow.
Allow location on mobile
- iOS DuckDuckGo Browser: open Settings app > Privacy & Security > Location Services > DuckDuckGo, allow access, and enable Precise Location.
- Android DuckDuckGo Browser: long-press the app icon, open app info, then go to Permissions > Location; allow access and enable Precise Location.
- Android Chrome: select the address-bar permissions icon and set Location to Allow. Alternatively, go to ⋮ Menu > Privacy and security > Site settings > Location and allow DuckDuckGo.
On iOS, the documented reset fallback is Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy. Use it cautiously: it revokes location, camera, microphone, and photo permissions for all apps until you authorize them again. See the mobile local-results help page.
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How do I use DuckDuckGo URL parameters?
URL parameters let a search URL carry selected settings, which is useful for a bookmark or a homepage shortcut. DuckDuckGo’s documented format places parameters after the query, as in https://duckduckgo.com/?q=search&kp=-1&kl=us-en. The settings page also exposes settings and bookmarklet data; the full parameter list is in DuckDuckGo’s settings parameter reference.
| Preference | Documented parameter values |
|---|---|
| Region | kl=us-en for United States; kl=wt-wt for no region. |
| Safe Search | kp=1 strict/on; kp=-1 moderate; kp=-2 off. |
| Instant Answers | kz=1 on; kz=-1 off. |
| Autocomplete | kac=1 on; kac=-1 off. |
| New window or tab | kn=1 on; kn=-1 off. |
| Ads | k1=1 on; k1=-1 off. |
| Automatic loading | kc=1 or kc=-1 for images; kav=1 or kav=-1 for results. |
| Favicons | kf=1 favicons; kf=w WOT ratings; kf=fw both; kf=-1 off. |
| Full URLs | kaf=1 or kaf=-1. |
| Redirect protection | kd=1 or kd=-1. |
| HTTPS | kh=1 or kh=-1. |
| Address-bar method | kg=g for GET; kg=p for POST. |
| Video playback | k5=1 always play on DuckDuckGo; k5=2 open on a third-party site; k5=-1 prompt. |
Appearance parameters include theme (kae=-1, c, r, d, or t), size (ks=n, l, t, m, or s), width (kw=n, w, or s), placement (km=m or l), link font (ka=...), text font (kt=...), and underline (ku=1 or ku=-1). Interface options include header (ko=1, ko=s, ko=-1, or ko=-2), page numbers (kv=1, kv=n, or kv=-1), and units (kaj=1, kaj=n, or kaj=-1).
DuckDuckGo says these parameters are intended for individual use. For apps or extensions, removing DuckDuckGo branding or advertising parameters can violate its contracts; parameter customization should not be treated as permission to strip those elements from a third-party integration.
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In an ordinary browser, DuckDuckGo Search preferences are normally stored in non-personal browser cookies and local storage. Clearing cookies, changing browsers, or moving to another computer can therefore make settings appear to reset. DuckDuckGo documents two ways to carry preferences forward: a generated settings URL and Cloud Save.
Use a settings URL or bookmarklet
On the settings page, expand Show Bookmarklet and Settings Data. DuckDuckGo’s help page calls this section Bookmarklets and settings data. The page exposes Bookmarklet URL, Cloud Save Bookmarklet URL, Settings in JSON, and Cookie data. A generated settings URL can be saved as a bookmark or homepage; settings encoded in that URL are respected when searches begin from it. The same URL can be used through the bottom section of the settings page to restore preferences on another computer. See DuckDuckGo’s saving-settings instructions.
Use Cloud Save
The Search Settings page has a Cloud Save section with Save Settings and Load Settings. Cloud Save uses a passphrase that stays in the browser; DuckDuckGo stores the settings file on Amazon S3 using a generated key. The stored file is not encrypted, and DuckDuckGo says it does not know the passphrase. Cloud Save can be used to share settings between browsers or computers, restore them after cookie deletion, or keep multiple sets of preferences. Do not use it to store information that must be kept secret. The Cloud Save help page also states that a forgotten passphrase cannot be recovered.
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To change a Cloud Save passphrase, enable Cloud Save with the existing passphrase, select Delete my data, enter a new passphrase, then select Save Settings. Deleting the cloud copy does not remove the local browser copy; that remains until you choose reset all settings to defaults.
What if I use the DuckDuckGo Browser?
DuckDuckGo Browser settings are handled differently from Search preferences in an ordinary browser: the browser backs up DuckDuckGo settings internally, and clearing cookies or using the Fire Button does not clear those preferences. This is why a settings reset in the browser should not be assumed to work like deleting website cookies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which keyboard shortcuts and search operators are available?
Keyboard shortcuts can be enabled or disabled in Search Settings. With them enabled, the documented shortcuts are:
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
↓ or j |
Move to the next result. |
↑ or k |
Move to the previous result. |
/ or h |
Focus the search box. |
t |
Go to the top of the page. |
m |
Go to the main results. |
Enter, l, or o |
Open the highlighted result. |
Ctrl/Cmd + Enter, ', or v |
Open the highlighted result in a background window or tab. |
d |
Search the highlighted result’s domain. |
The background-tab shortcut uses JavaScript and requires pop-up blockers to be disabled. See the keyboard-shortcuts help page.
Search operators can narrow a query without changing persistent preferences. Examples include "cats and dogs" for an exact phrase, cats -dogs to exclude a term, cats +dogs to include a term, cats filetype:pdf for a file type, intitle:dogs for a title match, and inurl:cats for a URL match. Prefix a query with a backslash to open the first result directly, as in futurama; use a bang such as !a blink182 to search another site directly. More examples and syntax are in the search syntax guide. DuckDuckGo cautions that some advanced syntax does not work correctly for every query because results come from multiple sources.
Why did my DuckDuckGo settings reset?
The most common explanation is that the browser no longer has the local data where ordinary Search preferences were stored. Cookie deletion, a different browser profile, a browser switch, or a new computer can separate you from those preferences; there is no account-based synchronization described in DuckDuckGo’s current settings documentation.
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- If you still have the original browser, check whether the settings remain there before clearing more data.
- If you saved a settings URL, open the settings page on the new device and use the restore option in its lower settings-data section.
- If you configured Cloud Save, choose Load Settings and enter the passphrase you used when saving.
- If the preferences are in DuckDuckGo Browser, remember that its internal settings backup is separate from the ordinary website cookie store.
Cloud Save cannot recover a forgotten passphrase. For that reason, keep the passphrase somewhere secure if you rely on it, and do not mistake Cloud Save for encrypted storage.
Which settings method should I use?
Use the settings page for straightforward changes, a settings URL when you want a repeatable bookmark or homepage, and Cloud Save when you need to carry a settings set between browsers or recover it after local browser data is removed. Choose the method based on how persistent and portable the preference needs to be.
- One change in the current browser: update the control on Search Settings and select Save and Exit.
- A query-specific choice: use a documented URL parameter or, for Safe Search,
!safeonor!safeoff. - A reusable starting point: generate and bookmark a settings URL.
- Cross-browser restoration: use Cloud Save only if its unencrypted settings file and unrecoverable passphrase are acceptable.
- A result you do not want to see again: block its domain from the result menu, rather than relying on a one-query operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DuckDuckGo use an account to sync search preferences?
DuckDuckGo’s current settings documentation does not describe account-based syncing for Search preferences. If you need to keep preferences across browsers, use the settings URL or Cloud Save options on the settings page.
Can I recover Cloud Save if I forget the passphrase?
No. DuckDuckGo says it cannot recover a forgotten Cloud Save passphrase, so losing it means you cannot load that saved settings set.
Does DuckDuckGo’s AI-image filter catch every generated image?
No. It uses public blocklists that DuckDuckGo says are not exhaustive, so some AI-generated images may still appear.
Will the Fire Button erase my DuckDuckGo Browser preferences?
No. The DuckDuckGo Browser backs up its settings internally, and its help documentation says the Fire Button does not clear those preferences.
