DuckDuckGo

Overview

DuckDuckGo is the most widely used private search engine, processing billions of searches annually. Founded in 2008, it built its reputation on a simple promise: we don’t track you.

Unlike Google, which builds a detailed profile of your interests, location, and habits, DuckDuckGo treats every search as if it came from a stranger.

Key Features

No Search History

DuckDuckGo doesn’t store your searches. There’s no profile being built, no history to be subpoenaed, and no data to be hacked.

Bangs

Type “!w” before a search to go directly to Wikipedia, “!a” for Amazon, or “!yt” for YouTube. There are thousands of bangs for searching specific sites.

Instant Answers

Get quick answers for calculations, weather, definitions, and more without needing to click through to websites.

Privacy & Security

DuckDuckGo doesn’t track you, period. They make money through non-targeted ads based on search keywords, not user profiles. They also offer Email Protection to strip trackers from your inbox.

Getting Started

1. Go to duckduckgo.com
2. Make it your default search engine in browser settings
3. Install the browser extension for enhanced privacy
4. Learn useful bangs for your frequently used sites

Who Is It Best For?

DuckDuckGo is perfect for anyone wanting to stop Google from tracking their searches. Ideal for users who want good privacy without sacrificing too much search quality.

Final Verdict

DuckDuckGo is the easiest Google Search replacement. While results aren’t quite as refined as Google’s, the privacy benefits far outweigh the occasional need to refine a search query.