Google has introduced mandatory AI summaries to its search results, which have been met with criticism from users who value a more traditional search experience. The company’s decision to prioritize AI-generated content over user-friendly search results has sparked a backlash.
In contrast, an alternative search engine called Kagi is gaining popularity among those seeking a more authentic browsing experience. Founded in 2018, Kagi provides search results that are pulled from the web, including its own index, and aims to deliver useful results without flooding users with AI-generated content.
However, it’s worth noting that Kagi’s partnership with Yandex has raised concerns among some users. In 2024, Arkady Volozh, the founder of Yandex, relocated his company to the Netherlands after Russia invaded Ukraine, severing ties with its Russian operations and renaming the remaining company Nebius Group.
Despite these changes, it remains unclear whether Kagi continues to have a revenue-sharing deal with Yandex LLC or Nebius. As a result, users may need to navigate a lack of transparency regarding Kagi’s backend usage.
In response to user criticism, Google appears to be taking a hardline stance, dismissing concerns and encouraging users to switch to alternative search engines like Kagi if they’re unhappy with the new AI-generated search results. But for those seeking a more traditional browsing experience, options are now available.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/08/enough-is-enough-i-dumped-googles-worsening-search-for-kagi