Does DuckDuckGo log IP addresses and for how long?
Executive summary
DuckDuckGo’s published privacy policy states it does not save IP addresses or unique identifiers alongside searches and “never log IP addresses or any unique identifiers to disk” [1]. Independent reviewers and privacy guides largely repeat that DuckDuckGo has a no‑logs orientation for searches and its browser, but note practical limits: IPs are visible to ISPs, hosting or third‑party services, and some third‑party content (ads, maps, shopping links) may expose your IP [1] [2] [3].
1. What DuckDuckGo itself says — a firm no‑logs claim
DuckDuckGo’s privacy page explicitly says it does not save IP addresses or unique identifiers alongside searches or visits and “never log[s] IP addresses or any unique identifiers to disk that could be tied back to you or to your search and browsing history” [1]. The company frames temporary use of network information as operational — to deliver content and protect against bots — but insists this is not persisted in a way that can be linked to users [1].
2. Independent summaries and technical guides — agreement with caveats
Multiple independent reviews and guides repeat DuckDuckGo’s no‑logs posture for search queries and the browser, describing it as “privacy‑first” and “no tracking” [4] [5]. These sources recommend additional tools (VPNs, Tor, proxies) when users want to mask their IP or encrypt all traffic, because DuckDuckGo’s protections focus on search/query anonymity rather than network‑level IP hiding [4] [6] [3].
3. Third‑party exposure — where your IP can leak despite DuckDuckGo’s policy
At the same time, reporting warns that clicking ads or results that send requests to third‑party servers can expose your IP address to those external services, which may log it [2]. Guides also note that websites you visit and your ISP necessarily see the IP used to route traffic, so DuckDuckGo cannot prevent that network‑level visibility [3] [7].
4. Temporary logging vs. persistent logs — language and interpretation
DuckDuckGo acknowledges using some network information “temporarily to deliver content to you and, for security, to ensure you’re not a malicious bot,” while reiterating it doesn’t save IPs tied to searches [1]. Some third‑party explainers interpret this as transient logging or anonymized, unlinked use for operational analytics; others emphasize that even transient handling still means the IP exists in memory or ephemeral logs while processing [8] [1].
5. Practical advice — when to trust DuckDuckGo and when to add layers
If your threat model is avoiding search‑engine profiling and advertising‑based tracking, DuckDuckGo’s approach — not saving IPs with queries — addresses that concern [1] [5]. If you need to hide your IP from your ISP, hosting providers, or external sites you visit (including ad networks or maps), you must add network‑level tools like a vetted VPN, Tor, or proxies; independent reviews and guides recommend exactly that [4] [6] [3].
6. Conflicting claims and loose ends in reporting
Some third‑party articles make absolute statements that DuckDuckGo “does not log or store IP addresses, nor does it share them” [9] while others caution about third‑party redirects and older browser storage issues [2]. The official policy [1] is authoritative on company practices; external critiques mainly focus on edge cases where third parties or device/browser behavior can undermine privacy. Available sources do not mention detailed retention windows in seconds/minutes for any ephemeral network data DuckDuckGo may process during request handling (not found in current reporting).
7. What this means for users — bottom line and checklist
Bottom line: DuckDuckGo claims and is widely described as not retaining IPs linked to searches [1] [5], but your IP can still be observed by ISPs, third‑party content providers, and external servers when you follow links or load remote resources [1] [2] [3]. If you require full IP masking, use a trusted VPN or Tor in addition to DuckDuckGo; if your primary goal is to avoid search‑engine profiling, DuckDuckGo’s no‑logs stance addresses that use case [4] [6].
Sources cited: DuckDuckGo privacy policy [1]; VPN/review pieces and guides summarizing DuckDuckGo behavior and caveats [4] [6] [3] [5]; criticism about third‑party exposures and historical issues [2]; third‑party explanations repeating the no‑log claim [8] [9] [7].