When we somewhere hear, see or read the term “search engine”, the very first thing that comes to mind is “Google“. This is because Google is the most popular search engine around the globe. But, despite being so popular some people still do not give it that much preference.
So, for those who’re now willing to try something different, it’s the time when you should change your default search engine by replacing it with one of the more creative and interesting search engines.
Here in this article, I’m going to tell you about 4 of the most interesting search engines that are really better than the market leaders. As you’re making a big change to your web browser, I’m also letting you know that why the following search engines are the better choice and why you should change your default browser by replacing them with these ones.
#1. DuckDuckGo
If the search engine DuckDuckGo is known to someone, it is primarily due to increased privacy. Unlike Google, it does not collect user data.
Why it is better?
DDG is not exactly a search engine. Or rather, it is not a search engine at all, but a sort of response aggregator from different search engines. In its work, it uses the search results of Yahoo, Bing, Yummly, Wikipedia, and hundreds of other “reliable” sources.
Why you need it?
All major search engines try to personalize search results based on data about the person in front of the monitor. This phenomenon is called the “filter bubble”: the user sees only those results that are consistent with their preferences, or that the system considers as such.
DuckDuckGo creates an objective picture that does not depend on your past behavior on the internet and eliminates the themed advertising of Google based on your requests.
#2. not Evil
Not Evil is a search engine on the Tor anonymous network. To use it, you need to go to this network, for example, by launching a specialized browser.
Not Evil is the only search engine of its kind. There is LOOK (search by default in the Tor browser, which is accessible from the standard internet), TORCH (one of the oldest search engines in the Tor network), and others. We stopped at not Evil because of an unambiguous hint at Google (just look at the start page).
Why it is better?
It searches where Google and other search engines are not permitted.
Why you need it?
There are many resources on the Tor network that cannot be found on the law-abiding internet. And their number will grow as the control of the authorities over the content of the network is tightened. Tor is a kind of network within the network with its social networks, torrent trackers, media, trading platforms, blogs, libraries, and so on.
#3. YaCy
YaCy is a decentralized search engine that works on the principle of P2P networks. Each computer on which the main software module is installed scans the internet on its own, that is, it is analogous to a search robot. The results are collected in a common database, which is used by all YaCy members.
Why it is better?
It’s hard to say if this is better or worse since YaCy is a completely different approach to a search engine. The lack of a single server and company owner makes the results completely independent of anyone’s preferences. The autonomy of each node excludes censorship. YaCy is able to search in the deep web and non-indexable public networks.
Why you need it?
If you are a supporter of open software and free internet which is not subject to the influence of state bodies and large corporations, then YaCy is your choice. For example, you may search for a cheap assignment writing service using YaCy and find a result that will not be influenced by anybody or anything.
It can also be used to organize searches within a corporate or another autonomous network. And while YaCy is not very useful in everyday life, it is a worthy alternative to Google in terms of the search process.
#4. Pipl
Pipl is a system designed to search for information about a particular person.
Why it is better?
The authors of Pipl claim that their specialized algorithms are searched more efficiently than “ordinary” search engines. In particular, the priority sources of information are social network profiles, comments, lists of participants, and various databases where information about people is published, such as court decision bases. Pipl’s leadership in this area is confirmed by Lifehacker.com, TechCrunch, and others.
Why you need it?
If you need to find information about a person living in the United States, then Pipl will be much more efficient than Google.
To be “better” in the context of this article does not mean to be “better in everything.” Yes, in many aspects, our heroes are far from Google (even from Bing). But then each of these services gives the user something that the search industry giants cannot offer.