5 Best Private Search Engines You Can Use In Place of Google

Like most people, you probably turn to Google when searching for something online. However, what if we were to tell you that Google doesn’t respect your privacy and tracks your information?

That’s right! While big search engines like Yahoo!, Bing, and Google help us find what we need on the web, they do so while grabbing as much information about us as possible. Fortunately, there’s a way around this predicament.

You can find what you’re looking for online using a private search engine without compromising your privacy. This article reveals our top picks for the best private search engines and why you might want to stop using Google.

Why Should You Use a Private Search Engine?

Google and other popular search engines are data-collecting machines. They have no regard for your privacy and track everything you do, such as your search terms, the results you click on, how many times you modify the search query, and so more.

They use all this data to build a detailed profile of your interests and behavior. These “user profiles” are sold to advertisers, who flood you with targeted advertisements. The good news is that you have privacy-focused alternatives if you’re concerned about the tracking behavior of search engines like Google.

What Does Google Know About You? 

As mentioned above, the problem with traditional search engines like Google is that they spy on your online activities. The more they learn about you, the better they can target their advertising efforts.

To do this, Google stores a variety of information such as your IP address, cookie ID, data and time, and search terms every time you type in a query. These details are usually transferred to your requested web page and third-party advertisers.

If you don’t want your data collected or shared with anyone else, your best bet is to switch to a privacy-friendly search engine. Which one should you choose, though? We’ve listed our top recommendations below.

5 Best Private Search Engines

Now, let’s take a look at the best search engines (in no particular order) that you can use in place of Google:

1. DuckDuckGo

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of the name DuckDuckGo. The private search engine is quite popular, serving around 14 million daily searches. It gathers results from over 400 sources like Yahoo!, Wikipedia, Yandex, and Bing.

DuckDuckGo offers unique features like ! bang, which lets users search directly on other websites such as Amazon. The company does record your searches, but they’re not associated with your IP address and can’t be tied back to you.

As for how DuckDuckGo makes money, it shows ads from Yahoo! based on your search terms and is an affiliate of Amazon and eBay. This isn’t the same as selling your data, but if you want a search engine that operates independently of such companies, you can go with any of the other options below.

2. Swisscows

The Swisscows privacy policy is straightforward: “We do not collect any of our visitors’ personal information. None whatsoever.” This means it doesn’t log your IP address, device, or browser information.

Your search queries aren’t logged, either. The company uses its private servers and doesn’t depend on any third-party infrastructure. Furthermore, it is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland. How do Swisscows earn money, though?

It shows sponsors’ banner ads along with your search results. These are based on your search terms and not your search or location history (which is the case with search engines like Google). In other words, the ads served to you are contextual and non-invasive.

3. StartPage

StartPage is arguably the best Google alternative currently available. Based in the Netherlands, it delivers search results from Google without recording user data and doesn’t share anything with third parties.

The private search engine offers advanced filtering options, including video and picture search. Like DuckDuckGo, it’s also available as an extension for Firefox and Chrome. StartPage offers distinct features that set it apart from its rivals.

These include HTTPS support, a proxy service called Anonymous View, and a URL generator. Moreover, the company has been certified by EuroPrise, an independent auditing authority backed by top European privacy organizations.

4. Searx

Searx is a metasearch engine that collects results from popular search engines like Google and aggregates and displays them. Your request is sent without any identifying data, such as your IP address, so that search sites receive the search phrase anonymously.

The company says it “doesn’t care about what you search for” – meaning no logs of your data or searches will be stored. Unlike other private search engines on this list, Searx doesn’t display ads against search queries.

Instead, all search result pages include a link for users to donate and support the service, and you’ll see the same on numerous other pages on Searx’s website. The “privacy-respecting” metasearch engine is also available as a Firefox extension.

5. Qwant

Based in France, Qwant has better privacy measures than its American competitors, as the company must comply with EU data and privacy laws. Therefore, you can be sure that it doesn’t log any user information without consent and has no data available for advertising.

The private search engine promises to help users escape the filter bubble, i.e., when you’re shown search results based on your profile and never get to see information opposing your views. Qwant is pretty user-friendly, too, and categorizes your search results.

It also has a feature similar to that of DuckDuckGo’s ! bang. All you have to do is type “!” or “&” before the name of your preferred website, and Qwant will only search that site for the most relevant results.

Pro Tip: Protect Your Online Privacy with a VPN

Private search engines like the ones discussed above won’t record or sell your information, but they can’t stop the websites you visit from doing the same. They can log your IP and track your movements across the web using cookies.

The same can be said for Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In most countries, they’re allowed to collect your online activities and sell them for a profit.

A VPN is your best line of defense against any entity that wants to track you online or use your browsing data. It conceals your real IP address and encrypts your data, allowing you to use the Internet with complete privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Private Search Engines Private?

Yes. Traditional search engines like Google make money by targeting ads and sharing your data with third parties. On the other hand, private search engines don’t track you, nor do they collect your data. They don’t let their marketing strategies get in the way of providing objective results.

How Do I Choose the Best Private Search Engine?

Keep the following factors in mind when choosing a private search engine:

• It should protect your privacy.
• It should provide appropriate search results.
• It should have an easy-to-use interface.
• It should offer settings for a more personalized experience.

Does Google own DuckDuckGo?

Not at all. DuckDuckGo isn’t affiliated with Google and was founded in 2008 by Gabriel Weinberg to give internet users a privacy-friendly alternative. One of the company’s first advertisements was “Google tracks you. We don’t,” on a big ol’ billboard in San Francisco.

Privatize Your Searches – It’s the Smart Thing to Do!

We believe searching for something online shouldn’t come at the price of your personal information. If you’re concerned about how Google collects and handles your data, then using a private search engine can help keep your privacy intact while you search.