8 Amazing search engines you should be using (that aren’t google)

When most people think of search engines, Google is the first thing that comes to mind. After all, with over 90% of the search market share, it’s easy to understand why. But just because Google dominates the search landscape doesn’t mean it’s the only option out there or the best option for every situation. In fact, there are plenty of alternative search engines that offer a variety of unique benefits, from enhanced privacy and niche content to eco-conscious features.

In this blog, we’ll explore 8 of the best search engines you can use besides Google. Whether you’re looking for a more private browsing experience, want to discover country-specific search results, or even make a positive environmental impact, these search engines have something to offer.

1. Bing or Microsoft Bing

Bing, Microsoft’s answer to Google, is the second most popular search engine in the world. Many users love its visually rich search experience, especially for video and image searches, where Bing tends to deliver more in-depth results compared to Google. Bing also allows you to search with images via Visual Search, a feature that enables you to search the web using photos rather than text.

One major advantage of using Bing is its Microsoft Rewards program, which allows you to earn points just by conducting web searches. These points can be redeemed for gift cards, sweepstakes entries or even donations to charitable organizations.

• Unique feature: Earn rewards for searches, which you can redeem for real-world perks like gift cards or donations.
• Why use it: Rewards and rich multimedia search

2. DuckDuckGo

If you’re concerned about your online privacy, DuckDuckGo is a top alternative to Google. Known for its commitment to protecting user privacy, DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your search history or store your personal data. It also doesn’t bombard you with targeted ads based on your previous search activity, making it an excellent option for those who prefer a more private browsing experience.

DuckDuckGo is also incredibly straightforward and fast, with a simple interface that gets you results without distractions. You can also use its !bang commands to directly search specific websites like Amazon, YouTube, or Wikipedia, all without leaving DuckDuckGo’s platform.

• Unique feature: Zero tracking, no personalized ads and enhanced privacy protection.
• Why use it: Privacy-first search engine

3. Yahoo!

While Yahoo! may not be the first search engine you think of anymore, it’s still a powerful option for those looking for an all-in-one experience. Yahoo! offers more than just web searches—it’s a hub for news, finance, sports, and even email services. Powered by Bing, Yahoo’s search engine is reliable, but its true strength lies in its integration with the rest of Yahoo’s platform.

If you’re someone who likes to check your email, get the latest news, and do a quick web search all from the same interface, Yahoo! could be a convenient option.

• Unique feature: Yahoo! integrates search, news, email and more, making it a great option for multitaskers.
• Why use it: All-in-one portal for search, news and email

4. Baidu

Baidu is the leading search engine in China, holding more than 70% of the market share. If you’re targeting the Chinese market or need to access content specific to China, Baidu is your go-to search engine. It’s often referred to as the “Google of China” offering similar services like maps, music and even cloud storage, all optimized for Chinese users.

Baidu’s search results are heavily geared toward Chinese-language content, making it the best option for businesses and users needing access to China’s digital ecosystem.

• Unique feature: Baidu excels at delivering multimedia and China-specific content.
• Why use it: The best search engine for China-specific content

5. Swisscows

Swisscows is not only a privacy-focused search engine but also an excellent option for families and schools. It uses semantic search technology to interpret the meaning of your query rather than just matching keywords, offering a more intuitive search experience. Moreover, Swisscows automatically filters out adult content, making it a safe choice for families or educational environments.

For users who want a privacy-first search engine that also emphasizes safe content, Swisscows is a standout choice.

• Unique feature: Built-in adult content filtering and semantic search for a more intuitive search experience.
• Why use it: Family-friendly search with privacy protection

6. StartPage

For those who love Google’s search results but aren’t keen on its data-tracking practices, StartPage offers the perfect solution. StartPage delivers results directly from Google but doesn’t store or track any user data. It serves as a privacy-first intermediary, meaning you get the power of Google’s algorithms without compromising your privacy.

StartPage is ideal for anyone who wants to use Google’s search power while avoiding personalized ads and search tracking.

• Unique feature: Google-powered results without tracking or data storage.
• Why use it: Google results with full privacy protection

7. Ecosia

If you want your searches to make a positive impact on the environment, Ecosia is the perfect choice. This eco-friendly search engine uses the revenue from search ads to plant trees around the world. In fact, for every 45 searches conducted, Ecosia plants one tree. This search engine is also committed to privacy and doesn’t sell your data to advertisers, so you can browse the web knowing your searches are contributing to a good cause.

Ecosia has already planted millions of trees, making it one of the most popular green search engines.

• Unique feature: Every search contributes to tree-planting efforts globally.
• Why use it: Search engine that plants trees

8. Qwant

Qwant is a popular search engine in Europe, particularly in France and it emphasizes privacy just like DuckDuckGo. Qwant offers neutral, untracked results, ensuring that your personal data remains private. Its clean, ad-light interface and no-tracking policies make it ideal for users who value privacy.

Qwant is especially well-suited for European users, offering localized results for those seeking content specific to the EU region.

• Unique feature: Privacy-focused and delivers European-localized search results.
• Why use it: European privacy-first search engine

Why You Should Consider Alternative Search Engines

While Google is a powerful search engine, there are many alternatives that offer features Google doesn’t. Whether you’re concerned about privacy, want to support eco-friendly causes, or are looking for better niche content, each of the search engines above brings something unique to the table.

• Privacy concerns: Search engines like DuckDuckGo, StartPage and Qwant offer better privacy than Google, with no tracking or data storage.
• Niche search needs: If you need localized content, Baidu is ideal for China-specific searches. For family-friendly searches, Swisscows provides safe and filtered content.
• Eco-conscious: Ecosia makes an environmental impact with every search, contributing to tree-planting efforts around the world.