Want to use a search engine other than Google? Looking for the best Google alternatives?
When you think about search engines, Google is probably the first thing that comes to mind. That’s because it dominates the search engine market by a long margin. Nearly 90% of all searches take place on Google.
But there are quite a few search engines besides Google out there that you can use if you’d rather choose a different one!
In this article, I’ll give you nine great Google search engine alternatives.
Let’s jump straight in!
Best Search Engine Alternatives to Google
1. Bing
Bing is Microsoft’s search engine and is second in terms of market share after Google. It was launched in 2009, and its origin traces back to earlier search engines offered by Microsoft, such as MSN Search and Live Search.
While Bing’s market share might seem modest compared to Google’s dominance, we’re still talking about billions of searches every month!
You can run pretty much all of the same searches on Bing as you would on Google. For instance, you can use the search engine to perform keyword research and find videos, images, maps, products, and more.
Plus, if you’re a website owner, Bing’s got you covered with Bing Webmaster Tools. It’s like Google Search Console’s cousin, helping you submit your site for indexing and track your SEO performance.
What makes Bing stand out?
Bing’s got some features that might actually make you consider switching from Google:
- More visual search experience: Bing tends to include images with more of its results and displays larger video thumbnails. Videos will also start playing when you mouse over them right there on the search results page, so you can more easily get a feel for whether it’s the one you need before clicking on it.
- The Microsoft Rewards Program: You can actually get paid to search! With Microsoft Rewards, you can earn points by making searches, shopping in the Microsoft and Windows stores, browsing with Microsft Edge, and more. Redeem your points for movies, music, games, apps, and more.
- AI Integration: Just like Google, Bing is integrating all kinds of AI search features like AI-powered chat, more natural language processing, image creation tools powered by DALL-E, and more.
Want to give Bing a try? Just head to Bing.com.
2. Yahoo
Remember when Yahoo was the king of search back in the ’90s? While those days might be behind us, Yahoo still processes millions of searches every month.
These days, Yahoo is actually powered by Bing’s search technology. But don’t write it off just yet—Yahoo’s unique spin on search results might make it worth checking out.
What makes Yahoo stand out?
Yahoo’s got some features that could make it a useful addition to your search toolkit:
- Yahoo Services Integration: If you use Yahoo’s other services (like Yahoo Finance, Sports, or Mail), you’ll get richer search results that pull in data from across the Yahoo ecosystem. For example, searching for a company will automatically include detailed financial data right in your results.
- News and Media Focus: Yahoo excels at news searches, offering a clean layout with trending topics, personalized news feeds, and integrated video content from diverse sources.
- Privacy Options: Like other modern search engines, Yahoo now offers privacy features like secure search and private browsing options to help protect your search history.
Want to give Yahoo a try? Head to search.yahoo.com.
3. DuckDuckGo
Tired of feeling like search engines are watching your every move? DuckDuckGo might be exactly what you’re looking for. This privacy-focused search engine has been putting user security first since 2008, and it’s gained quite a following among privacy-conscious users.
DuckDuckGo pulls search results from hundreds of sources, including its own web crawler and Bing, to give you comprehensive results without compromising your privacy.
What makes DuckDuckGo stand out?
DuckDuckGo’s got some features that privacy-minded searchers will love:
- Complete Privacy: Unlike other search engines, DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your search history, store your personal information, record your IP address, create user profiles, or show personalized ads.
- No Filter Bubbles: Ever notice how Google shows different results to different people? DuckDuckGo doesn’t do that. Everyone sees the same unbiased results, so you’re not stuck in an echo chamber of information related to your own previous searches.
- Built-in Privacy Tools: DuckDuckGo includes built-in privacy tools like forced HTTPS encryption, website privacy grades, and its own browser with privacy features built in.
Want to give DuckDuckGo a try? Just head to duckduckgo.com. You can even download their free browser if you want more privacy.
4. Perplexity AI
Looking for a search engine that feels more like having a conversation with a really smart friend? Perplexity AI is shaking things up by combining traditional search with artificial intelligence to give you more detailed, conversational answers to your questions.
Launched in 2022, Perplexity AI has quickly become one of the most interesting new players in the search engine space. Chatting with Perplexity is sort of like having a research assistant who can pull information from across the web and present it in a clear, easy-to-understand way.
What makes Perplexity stand out?
Perplexity has some features that make it totally different from traditional search engines, like:
- AI-Powered Answers: Instead of just showing you a list of links, Perplexity actually generates detailed answers to your questions, complete with sources and citations. It’s a bit like an expanded version of Google’s AI Overviews.
- Real-Time Information: Unlike some AI chatbots, Perplexity pulls current information from the web, so you’re getting up-to-date answers, not just responses based on old training data.
- Follow-Up Questions: You can keep the conversation going by asking follow-up questions about your search results, making it feel more like a natural dialogue than a typical search experience.
- Pro Features: While the basic version is free, Perplexity Pro offers extras like image generation, custom AI models, and longer, more detailed responses.
Want to give Perplexity AI a try? Head to perplexity.ai and start asking questions!
5. Yandex
Looking to expand your horizons beyond Western search engines? Yandex is Russia’s answer to Google, and it’s more than just a search engine. Instead, it’s a full-blown tech ecosystem that dominates the Russian-speaking internet.
Think of Yandex as the Google of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. They’re involved in everything from ride-hailing to eCommerce, but I’ll just focus on their search engine.
What makes Yandex stand out?
Yandex is 5th in the world in terms of search engine marketing share. It offers some unique features that might make it worth checking out:
- Regional Dominance: If you’re interested in content from Russia or Eastern Europe, Yandex is your best bet. It understands Russian language nuances better than Western search engines and has deeper coverage of regional content.
- Advanced Image Search: Yandex’s image search is actually pretty powerful, with features like similar image finding, face recognition, quality filters, and advanced sorting options.
- Built-in Translation: Need to navigate Russian-language content? Yandex automatically translates search results into your preferred language.
- Integrated Services: Just like Google’s ecosystem, Yandex offers cloud storage, email services, maps and navigation, a web browser, and more.
Want to try Yandex? Visit yandex.com. Remember that, like any search engine, it’s good to be aware of potential regional biases in search results.
6. Ecosia
Want to help save the planet while you search? That’s exactly what Ecosia lets you do! This unique search engine turns your everyday searches into trees by using its advertising profits to fund reforestation projects worldwide.
While Ecosia uses Bing’s search technology by default, you can also choose for it to use Google’s. Plus, it adds its own eco-friendly twist to help make the world a greener place, one search at a time.
What makes Ecosia stand out?
Ecosia has some features that both environmentalists and privacy-conscious users will love:
- Tree Planting Power: Every search you make helps plant trees! Ecosia uses 100% of its profits for tree planting, publishes monthly financial reports showing where the money has gone, and has planted over 200 million trees.
- Privacy Features: Ecosia has you opted out of personalized search results by default (although you can turn it on), encrypts your searches, does not compile data in order to create a personal search profile, and more.
- Carbon Negative: While other tech companies aim to be carbon neutral, Ecosia goes further by powering itself with solar energy AND planting trees, making it carbon-negative.
Want to help plant some trees while you search? Head to ecosia.org or install their browser extension to start making your searches count for something bigger!
7. Startpage
Startpage is another privacy-conscious alternative search engine that’s similar to DuckDuckGo. Use it if you want to take control of your online privacy.
Based in the Netherlands (hello, strict EU privacy laws!), Startpage has been putting user privacy first since 2006.
What makes Startpage stand out?
Startpage has some features that make it ideal for searchers craving more privacy:
- Complete Privacy: Startpage doesn’t have any IP address tracking, cookies, tracking scripts, search history storage, or personal data collection of any kind.
- Anonymous View: Want to visit websites without leaving a trace? Startpage’s Anonymous View works like a private proxy, letting you browse sites without them knowing who you are.
- Google-Powered Results: Startpage uses Google’s search results, but presents them in a clean, ad-light interface with no personalized results.
Want to search privately without sacrificing quality results? Head to startpage.com and see what searching without being tracked feels like!
8. Brave Search
Brave Search is another option for those looking for a privacy-first search engine. From the same folks who brought us the Brave browser, this independent search engine launched in 2021 with a promise for true search independence without compromising on quality.
Unlike many privacy-focused search engines that rely on Google or Bing, Brave built their own independent search index from scratch.
What makes Brave Search stand out?
Brave Search has some features that make it a compelling alternative to the big players:
- True Independence: Brave Search uses its own web crawler and index instead of relying on Google or Bing
- Privacy First: Just like their browser, Brave Search takes privacy seriously by not gathering any personal data, tracking users, or using targeted ads.
- Google-like features, but private: Brave Search’s results look a lot like Google’s and even include an AI-generated answer.
Want to try a truly independent search engine? Head to search.brave.com to check it out now.
9. Swisscows
Looking for a search engine that combines Swiss privacy standards with family-friendly results? Swisscows operates from secure servers in Switzerland and focuses on providing clean, private search results without compromising on quality.
This unique search engine, launched in 2014, stands out for its commitment to both privacy protection and family-safe searching.
What makes Swisscows stand out?
Swisscows offers features that set it apart from traditional search engines:
- Swiss Privacy: Swisscows does not collect or store any data, does not track or log any searches, and is completely privacy law compliant.
- Family-Friendly Focus: The search engine includes automatic adult content filtering, family-safe search results, child-appropriate suggestions, and educational resources.
- Semantic Search Technology: Swisscows provides context-aware results, regional search options, and multi-language support. You can also click a button to get an AI summary of any result.
Want to try a private, family-friendly search experience? Head to swisscows.com.
That’s it!
There are many search engines out there that you can use instead of Google. Did any of the Google alternatives on our list stand out to you?
We hope you liked our article on alternative search engines. You might also want to check out:
The Beginner’s Guide to Search Engine Visibility [2024 Edition]
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Beginner’s Guide to Google Analytics: How Does it Work?
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Stay connected with us on YouTube for the latest Google Analytics tips and tutorials.
Alternative Search Engine FAQ
What is the best alternative search engine to Google?
The best alternative depends on what you’re looking for. If you want Google-quality results with privacy, try Startpage. For environmental impact, choose Ecosia. For complete privacy, DuckDuckGo or Brave Search are excellent options. And if you want AI-powered answers, check out Perplexity AI.
Are alternative search engines safe to use?
Yes, alternative search engines are safe to use. Many, like DuckDuckGo, Startpage, and Brave Search, actually offer better privacy protection than Google. They typically don’t track your searches or store personal information, making them potentially safer from a privacy standpoint.
Which search engine is most private?
Several search engines excel at privacy protection. DuckDuckGo, Startpage, Brave Search, and Swisscows all offer strong privacy features. They don’t track your searches, store personal information, or create user profiles. Startpage even lets you view websites anonymously through its proxy service.
Do alternative search engines give good results?
Yes! Many alternative search engines provide high-quality results. Some, like Startpage, even use Google’s search results but without the tracking. Others, like Brave Search and Yandex, have built their own robust search indexes. While they might show slightly different results than Google, they’re generally just as effective for most searches.
Which search engines don’t track you?
Several search engines prioritize privacy and don’t track users:
- DuckDuckGo
- Startpage
- Brave Search
- Swisscows
- Ecosia (minimal tracking, deleted after 7 days)
Can I use multiple search engines?
Absolutely! Many people use different search engines for different purposes. For example, you might use Perplexity AI for research questions, Ecosia for everyday searches, and Yandex when looking for information about Eastern Europe. Most browsers make it easy to switch between search engines.
How do alternative search engines make money?
Most alternative search engines make money through non-tracking ads (like DuckDuckGo and Brave) or by licensing their technology. Some, like Startpage, share revenue with Google for using their results. Unlike Google, these engines typically don’t make money by collecting and selling user data.
Thanks for such interesting info.
Is there a search engine that doesn’t give results from businesses? If l look up something about hard water, l get “information” that ends in an ad for a water softener. Where is unbiased information???
I have used Duck Duck & like it. Like knowing it’s secure. Thanks
Duck Duck Go has recently begun censoring search results.
Yep. I use Yandex.
Google is the worst for censorship. Duck duck followed suit. Bing also.
Like DuckDuckGo
I like Brave as it is a neutral safe site I combine with Duck Duck Go
Delete duck duck go when they began to limit search results. Tried Brave but dislike being directed to Pinterest for everything. The search continues!
I stopped reading when i saw you were claiming duck duck go as a good engine! duck duck go is AWFUL! We keep having to flip to google so we can find stuff! and SO MUCH PINTEREST!!
Since I read Russian, I am please that several of your suggestions are in Russia.
Yes Bing is great if you want the same stupid results you get from Google. There is nothing out there right now that qualifies as a real “search Engine”.
It’s been a while since you said there was nothing better. Have you found something since. I’m a writer and need historical accuracy, arcane facts, eitology of words, and the drop down, pop up, flank me with into I don’t need is time consuming.
Petal Search and Sogou are good alternatives.