Google's giant provides free access to a wide range of tools, but it's not a bad idea to explore different Google alternatives, starting with its search engine. If you're thinking of using other Internet search engines in more depth, this list will be useful.
The Number One Isn't Always the Best
At least... not in the computer world. Historical examples are abundant: Internet Explorer controlled everything at the beginning of the century, and its main effect was an absolute stagnation in browser development. The IBM PC started a true revolution in the '80s, but the obligation to be 'compatible' with that system chained us to protocols and technologies that are 40 years old. Office is the de facto standard in the field of office automation, and its technical problems could fill entire books.
And so we come to Google. Its search engine is the best, but if you want to enjoy its benefits, you must enter its sandbox and accept its rules. Our proposal today is... visiting other sandboxes. Studying different Google alternatives, Internet search engines that remain in the background, but have grown a lot over the years. Some names are very famous, and others will take you by surprise. Want to know more?
The Best Google Alternatives
Yandex
Beyond offering a decent search engine, Yandex stands out for its secondary services, such as Yandex Browser, which translates the content of images on the fly. Some users have reservations because of its Russian origin, but if the plan is to distance yourself from Google, this is the opposite end.
DuckDuckGo
The two battle horses of DuckDuckGo are 'privacy' and 'anonymity'. Although it finances itself by showing ads, the truth is that it does not create user profiles or modify search results. In February 2021, DuckDuckGo broke the record of 104.9 million daily searches, and it keeps growing.
Startpage
We talked about Startpage a couple of years ago, and we only have good things to say. Like DuckDuckGo, Startpage emphasizes user privacy: it does not track, store, or sell browsing data. Its advertising is generated from the term you just searched for, and it does not depend on previous results.
Bing
No, it's not a joke: if you're tired of Google, Microsoft welcomes you with open arms. Bing search engine is associated with almost all of Microsoft's tools, with Edge Chromium at the helm. Visually it is one of the most attractive search engines, its maps have improved a lot, and I also recommend using its video search.
Ahmia
If the name sounds familiar, it's probably because you remember it from our article about the best Deep Web search engines. Ahmia works as a search engine for Tor services, but at the same time it has a clearnet version. Everything you'll see here are .onion links, always obeying the natural chaos of the Deep Web.
Qwant
From France with love, Qwant has been online for more than seven years. One of its most interesting aspects is Qwant Maps, which seeks to become a replacement for Google Maps. Some browsers already offer it as a secondary engine, especially on mobile devices. Qwant does not track its users, and has a "junior mode" for the little ones at home.
Yahoo!
At one time, everything went through Yahoo!. Today, it's most likely to make headlines for its data leaks or its change of owners. However, the classic Yahoo! search engine hasn't gone anywhere. If you use the right address (that is, search.yahoo.com instead of the portal that behaves like a blog), your experience will be much more complete. Fun fact: It is still number one in Japan.
Ecosia
Do a search, and help plant a tree. 80 percent of the profits obtained by the Ecosia search engine is destined to reforestation campaigns. Its relationship with Microsoft Bing is very close, but it also uses custom algorithms. If you wanted an extra reason to replace Google's search engine, here you have it.
Baidu
I'll be the first to admit it: if you don't have some command of the Chinese language, the usefulness of Baidu will be limited, but nothing stops you from searching for 'Western' expressions in the engine and exploring its results. Baidu is the second search engine on the planet, and it controls more than 75 percent of the Chinese market. Ignoring it would be a gross mistake on our part...
Ask.com
Do you remember "Ask Jeeves", which tried to install its toolbar everywhere? Well, today it's Ask.com, and it says it works as an "answer engine"... but in practice, it's another search engine. Its initial results can be very different from those of other portals, and that's why we've decided to include it in our list.
Conclusion
The Google alternatives are out there, and you just have to go find them. Some of these Internet search engines do their job very well, but personally I recommend trying with all of them. Good luck!
