Google is everywhere and offers a pretty impressive amount of tools, often for free. While for many of us Google is a reflex for searching for information online, there are a number of other search engines that are worth taking a look at.
So if you don't like the idea that Google knows a lot about you or if you are looking for an alternative to the Mountain View firm's search engine, this article should be very useful to you!
The best alternatives to Google
The engines and meta-engines The search engines below are real, credible alternatives to Google… to find one you like, the best thing to do is try them!
Qwant
Being a bit chauvinistic, the first search engine I wanted to suggest to you is called Qwant. Developed by the French, it is really a serious competitor. Online since 2013 (like Byothe.fr… well well) this search engine has focused since its beginnings on the absence of tracking of its users and respect for privacy. Wanting to be neutral in the display of search results, it therefore adopts a policy opposite to that of Google.
Among its interesting features, it also offers a mapping service that does not track you as well as a search engine suitable for 6 to 12 year olds, Qwant Junior.
DuckDuckGo
A bit like Qwant and ultimately most alternatives to Google, DuckDuckGo bases its legitimacy on the protection of your privacy and anonymity. Founded in 2008, this tool is financed by advertising… However, it does not track its users and does not modify search results.
In January 2021, DuckDuckGo crossed the threshold of 100 million searches per day!
Ecosia
Ecosia is a very original alternative that has a stated objective in favor of ecology. Indeed, this German search engine donates 80% of its profits to associations working for reforestation. Thus, in April 2021, the site financed the planting of nearly 7 million trees ! It is the display of advertising links that allows these trees to be financed.
The cool thing is that the engine displays the number of searches you've done with it and tells you each time you help plant a tree (every 45 searches).
The results displayed by Ecosia are generated by Bing and improved by Ecosia's own algorithms. Please note that Ecosia values your privacy. The site does not use external tracking tools and does not sell your data to advertisers.
Yandex
On the web since 1997, Yandex is the main search engine used by Russian speakers… and for good reason, the site was created by Russians.
The results it displays are pretty decent and the site offers a suite of tools quite similar to Google's with an email service, a mapping tool, a translator... and even an internet browser.
start Page
Founded in the Netherlands in 2006, Startpage focuses on user privacy: it does not track, store or sell browsing data. Its advertising is generated from the term you just searched for, and does not rely on previous results.
Startpage uses search results generated by Google and earns its living through contextual, privacy-respecting advertising.
To conclude…
This list of alternative search engines to Google is far from exhaustive. However, they all have their own particularities as well as advantages and disadvantages. The best way to know which search engine is right for you is obviously to try them! So, test them and don't hesitate to give us your opinion!
Article updated on January 5, 2025 by Byothe
I am also looking for an alternative email service that is not Gmail or Hotmail.