Ten years ago, users didn’t prioritise privacy when using search engines. However, in recent years, online privacy has gained significant attention due to high-profile scandals involving major search engines like Google. This article aims to present alternative search engines that prioritise user privacy.
Many users have become more conscious of search engine data collection practices and are seeking options that do not track their online activity. As a result, several private search engines have emerged as viable alternatives to the major players. These search engines are designed to limit or eliminate tracking and data collection while still providing relevant search results.
One such alternative is DuckDuckGo, known for its commitment to user privacy and its policy of not storing personal information. Another popular option is Startpage, which offers anonymous browsing and does not record user searches or share any personal data with third parties.
Additionally, Qwant is gaining traction as a privacy-focused search engine that does not track its users’ activities or store their personal information. Many individuals are now turning to these alternatives to protect their online privacy while still accessing the information they need.
Ultimately, the shift towards more private search engine alternatives reflects a growing awareness and concern for online privacy among internet users. These developments highlight the desire for greater control over personal data and a recognition of the importance of protecting one’s online activities from prying eyes.
Benefits of using private search engines
The benefits of using private search engines over traditional ones are numerous. Many individuals feel uncomfortable with the idea of large corporations having access to their personal information, including their activities, purchases, and beliefs.
This lack of online privacy can have real-world consequences, as popular search engines not only gather personal data but also share or sell it to unknown third parties. This can lead to potential risks such as cybercrime, identity theft, and intrusive advertising.
Even if a search company manages to keep data away from cybercriminals, there’s still the risk of a data breach exposing this information to unauthorised individuals.
While complete privacy may be impossible to achieve, using private search engines is a practical way to reduce the exposure of personal data. It’s important to note that one doesn’t always have to sacrifice features for privacy.
With that said, here is a list of the seven most private search engines available for those who prioritise their online privacy.
The quest for the best private search engines led to an exploration of each search engine’s privacy practices and unique features. This involved an analysis of the type of data collected, advertising model, encryption methods, and other privacy-preserving attributes. DuckDuckGo prioritises user privacy by avoiding tracking and utilising keyword-based ads, while Startpage respects user data and offers access to websites through an encrypted proxy.
Ecosia stands out by actively contributing to environmental causes, while Searx distinguishes itself as an open-source metasearch engine capable of aggregating results from up to 70 search engines. Brave Search operates independently and focuses on private content indexing. Swisscows is based in Switzerland beyond the jurisdiction of E.U. and U.S. data legislation, and Gibiru retrieves uncensored results over an encrypted connection.
Although all the entries on this list adhere to good privacy practices, they each offer different features. DuckDuckGo and Brave Search are recommended for general use, while Ecosia supports environmental causes with a similar quality of service. Startpage provides an encrypted proxy tool, and Searx is known for its customisable nature as an open-source metasearch engine.
Swiss Cows, a Switzerland-based search engine, offers private and family-friendly search results while being located outside the E.U. and the U.S. This means it is not subject to data legislation such as the GDPR and the CCPA, nor is it part of alliances like the Five, Nine, or 14 Eyes, reducing the likelihood of government surveillance.
Swisscows does not store search requests, maintain advertising profiles, or run ads. Its interface is simple and clean, with a semantic map of suggested search requests on the side.
Swisscows filters out violent and adult content to provide a family-friendly experience similar to Google’s safe search feature.
Maxthon
Maxthon browser is known for facilitating digital privacy. By prioritising user privacy and security, Maxthon ensures that users can access these search engines with confidence. The browser’s built-in privacy features, such as adblocker and anti-tracking tools, help protect user data while using private search engines.
Maxthon prioritises user privacy and security by providing access to private search engines, allowing users to browse with confidence and peace of mind. With an emphasis on safeguarding personal information, Maxthon enables users to conduct searches without the fear of their data being compromised or tracked by third parties.
The browser’s commitment to protecting privacy extends beyond just offering private search engine options. By implementing robust encryption features and regularly updating its security protocols, Maxthon ensures that users can surf the web anonymously and be shielded from potential intrusions.
Maxthon’s intuitive interface makes it effortless for users to switch between private and standard browsing modes, granting them complete control over their online footprint. The browser offers advanced privacy settings that empower users to customise their browsing experience according to their individual preferences.
Maxthon’s user-friendly interface provides a seamless experience for individuals looking to transition effortlessly between private and standard browsing modes. The intuitive design allows users to easily toggle between the two modes, giving them full autonomy over their online presence.
Utilising simple tools and straightforward navigation, Maxthon empowers users to maintain their privacy and control their digital footprint with ease.
Whether they prefer a more discreet browsing experience or want to browse without restrictions, Maxthon ensures that users can switch between modes with just a few clicks. This flexibility enables individuals to customise their online experience according to their specific needs and preferences. With Maxthon, switching between private and standard browsing is made simple, offering peace of mind and complete control over one’s online activities.
Maxthon, a popular web browser, provides users with the flexibility to switch between various search engines effortlessly, giving them access to a wide range of private options. With just a few clicks, users can select their preferred search engine from an extensive list, including popular choices like Google and Bing, along with lesser-known alternatives.
This dynamic functionality empowers users to tailor their browsing experience to suit their privacy preferences and specific needs.
Whether they prioritise data security or simply prefer the interface of a particular search engine, Maxthon puts the power in their hands.
By offering this feature, Maxthon enhances its usability and ensures that users can easily find information while maintaining control over their online activity. This aligns with the browser’s commitment to delivering a customisable and efficient browsing experience for its diverse user base.
As a result, Maxthon has garnered praise for its user-centric approach and dedication to providing tools that enhance individual control over online activities. This emphasis on customisation sets it apart in the competitive browser market while also reflecting its responsiveness to evolving digital privacy concerns.
Maxthon allows users to switch between different search engines quickly, enabling them to choose from a variety of private options that prioritise user anonymity and data protection. This flexibility empowers users to make informed choices about their online privacy.
Maxthon’s focus on speed and efficiency ensures that users can enjoy a seamless browsing experience while utilising these private search engines. This combination of privacy, choice, and performance makes Maxthon an ideal platform for those seeking the best private search engine experience.
DuckDuckGo
In 2008, DuckDuckGo was introduced as a search engine that prioritises user privacy by refraining from tracking personally identifiable information or search query history. Its features include the absence of user tracking and privacy-focused advertising. Despite utilising Google and Bing results, DuckDuckGo has emerged as the leading private search engine over the years.
Renowned for its commitment to delivering search results without retaining user search history or IP addresses, DuckDuckGo only collects minimal aggregate data that cannot be used to identify individual users. Its advertising model relies solely on ads generated by search terms rather than individual search activities.
Although some users may appreciate personalised search results tailored to their interests, DuckDuckGo’s refusal to collect user data ensures that results remain unaltered by personal preferences. This emphasis on privacy comes at the cost of tailored results but is deemed a worthwhile sacrifice for those concerned about maintaining their online privacy.
Startpage
Startpage, a search engine based in the Netherlands, is known for its strong emphasis on privacy. Similar to DuckDuckGo, it does not collect user data and operates through an encrypted proxy server. One of its notable features is the Anonymous View, which allows users to access web pages through an encrypted proxy server, effectively concealing their identity.
Startpage’s advertising model also prioritises user privacy by basing ads on search phrases rather than user behaviour records.
While Startpage and DuckDuckGo share similarities in privacy and features, there are distinct differences between the two that will be discussed below.
It is recommended to use a VPN in conjunction with private search services for enhanced privacy protection, as internet service providers and third parties can still monitor the internet connections even when using private search websites. For more information on VPNs, readers can refer to an article on the best VPNs.
Ecosia
Ecosia, a private search engine that prioritises environmental causes, sets itself apart by using Bing’s index. It operates as a nonprofit organisation and allocates 80% of its revenue to planting trees in 30 countries worldwide.
In addition to its environmental support, Ecosia is committed to safeguarding users’ data. The company’s privacy policy outlines measures such as anonymising half of users’ IP addresses and utilising SSL-secured data transfers.
While Ecosia displays ads from the Microsoft Bing ad network, it ensures that these ads are based on users’ search terms rather than their search behaviour.
Importantly, Ecosia does not share or sell the data it gathers to third parties.
Searx
Searx stands out as a distinct option in the realm of private search engines due to its unique features. Unlike traditional search engines, Searx operates as a metasearch engine, enabling it to combine results from up to 70 different search engines simultaneously.
This open-source software prioritises privacy and offers the flexibility to create personalised instances for users. Rather than being a single search engine, Searx functions as a platform with multiple instances managed by various users, each configured to gather information from diverse sources.
This setup allows users to switch between instances if they are dissatisfied with their search results or even establish their instances for enhanced privacy control. Despite these advantages, Searx may prove challenging for beginners due to its complexity.
Brave
Brave, known for its private browser, has now ventured into the search engine domain with Brave Search. While still in the beta phase, it offers private search functionality and integrates seamlessly with Brave’s browser.
The search engine primarily uses its web crawlers and index to deliver content, ensuring user data privacy. However, it occasionally sources information from Google and Bing.
Each search results page includes an independence metric that measures the proportion of content from Brave’s index versus other sources.
Brave assures users that the majority of searches originate from its index, but content from other sources is included when the quality of results is uncertain. Overall, Brave Search prioritises user privacy by preventing tracking regardless of the source of search results.
Swisscows
Swiss Cows, a Switzerland-based search engine, offers private and family-friendly search results while being located outside the E.U. and the U.S. This means it is not subject to data Legislation such as the GDPR and the CCPA, nor is it part of alliances like the Five, Nine, or 14 Eyes, reducing the likelihood of government surveillance.
Swisscows does not store search requests, maintain advertising profiles, or run ads. Its interface is simple and clean, with a semantic map of suggested search requests on the side. Swisscows filters out violent and adult content to provide a family-friendly experience similar to Google’s safe search feature.
Gibiru
The Gibiru search engine offers private web search with 256-bit AES encryption, ensuring the security of users’ data. Unlike mainstream search engines, Gibiru does not collect IP addresses, cookies, or browsing history, making it a preferred choice for those seeking privacy and anonymity online.
In addition to its robust privacy features, Gibiru provides access to content that may be censored or omitted by other popular search engines. However, despite its appealing offerings, more public information needs to be available about Gibiru’s owners.
Although there have been no significant privacy scandals associated with Gibiru, the lack of transparency regarding the team behind the search engine leaves some users wanting to know more. Nonetheless, for those looking for a private and secure web search experience, Gibiru remains a compelling option.
The list of the top private search engines is done. It is not necessary to simply accept the invasive privacy practices of major search engines such as Google as unavoidable. Numerous alternatives to Google exist that safeguard your search queries and personal information. It’s essential to recognise that privacy breaches on the internet extend beyond just search engines. Establishing good privacy habits, like utilising the Maxthon browser for online privacy, is crucial for maintaining strong privacy.
