Top Google Search Competitors for Many Users
It's not just you - Google's search quality seems to be declining. The AI box at the top of the results page takes a long time to load and often spews nonsense. Worse, the overall quality of results appears to be decreasing as promoted results and ads eat up more user interface.
But there's hope! Google isn't your only option. Several alternative search engines offer advantages worth considering. Here are five alternatives that cater to most users. And remember, trying out different options and using them for different purposes is the way to go.
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo has been a long-standing privacy-oriented alternative to Google, and is among the best in terms of features. It's free and relies on ad revenue, but ads are limited to your current search session - no long-term tracking.
I, a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast, adore the keyboard-driven browsing. Simply type a query, use up and down arrow keys to choose results, hit Enter to open. DuckDuckGo also supports "bangs": shortcuts to directly search specific sites from the search bar, e.g., '!w' for Wikipedia. There are around 13,000 of these, making it a boon for Reddit and WolframAlpha among others.
Credit: Justin Pot
While DuckDuckGo enjoys a good reputation for privacy, the DuckDuckGo browser has bred controversy. While it blocks tracking by default, it lets Microsoft's pass. The "Chat" tab integrates with OpenAI, but AI recommendations don't show up in standard searches.
Kagi
Kagi is a paid search engine with no ads. The subscription model, proponents claim, allows them to deliver top-notch results without compromising with ads. The engine has been hailed by the likes of Cory Doctorow and 404 Media's Jason Koebler, which speaks volumes.
One notable feature is the ability to block URLs from appearing in search results. This is useful for filtering out unlikable websites. There's also a podcast search tool, unavailable elsewhere. The catch? You need to pay. Plans start at $5/month for 300 searches, while unlimited search costs $10/month. Try it out to find out if it's worth the fee - a free version, limited to 100 total searches, is available.
Credit: Justin Pot
Controversy surrounds the company, mostly about its execution and how it secures funding. Nevertheless, the search engine seems decent, so check it out if you're open to paying a fee.
Brave
Brave Search comes from the team behind the popular Brave browser known for built-in ad blocking. It stands out by having its own search index, developed from scratch (DuckDuckGo combines its own with data from multiple companies).
Brave boasts a Goggles feature allowing custom filters based on topics and political stances. While some may find it simplistic, you can examine code for transparency. The AI engine is optional - press up after typing your query to enable it for that search. The drawback for me is its lack of a maps feature.
Credit: Justin Pot
Reputation-wise, Brave's CEO has a checkered past, and the company has been accused of selling copyrighted data to train AI.
Ecosia
Ecosia is a free, ad-supported search engine contributing its profits to climate action. They're transparent about this, allowing you to view financial reports. The search itself is powered by Bing, working well for most needs.
Perplexity.ai
Credit: Justin Pot
Perplexity.ai is a free search engine, supported by ads. It delivers quality results by using its own index and machine learning models. It also offers smart completions based on context, predicting your next words. Their ViewIntent feature suggests sites you might want to open next and supports creating shortcuts for frequent searches. A Privacy Dashboard lets you control retention of search data.
Like other alternatives, it has its share of issues. The team behind Perplexity.ai has been accused of creating controversial AI models and taking user data without consent. However, their search engine may be worth exploring if you're willing to overlook these issues.
Justin Pot presents Perplexity, a search engine that operates quite differently than its competitors. Instead of displaying AI-generated text after relevant results, Perplexity primarily provides AI-generated content with links acting as validation for the points mentioned. You can inquire about a subject and then ask a follow-up question, which is helpful in fine-tuning your search. When you click on the cited links, you'll discover intriguing resources. Perplexity appears to be more adept at detecting and comprehending humor and satire than Google's AI algorithm, although you should conduct your experiments to find out.
In the realm of AI criticism, Perplexity is incomparable. However, concerns about its privacy measures should not be disregarded. Perplexity raised $165 million in venture capital, implying potentially enormous returns for investors. History shows where this type of investment often leads. Nevertheless, for now, Perplexity is an enticing tool with no ads that may be beneficial for certain inquiries.
Credit: Justin Pot
Alternative Options for Google Users
If you're reluctant to abandon Google's search results but dislike where the service is headed, there are a few alternatives. Startpage is a privacy-focused service that relies on Google's search index to deliver results without the tracking. There's also UDM14.com, a straightforward website that redirects you to Google's web view. These URLs are valuable to mark for occasions when you still find the urge to Google.
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Despite the declining quality of Google search results, there are various best Google search alternatives available. For instance, DuckDuckGo, a long-standing privacy-oriented search engine, stands out with its keyboard-driven browsing and support for "bangs" to directly search specific sites. Another option is Kagi, a paid search engine with no ads that offers a subscription model to deliver top-notch results without compromising with ads. Try out these alternatives and take advantage of their unique features to enhance your search experience.
