These days, Google is so synonymous with online search, that many people assume it’s the only reliable search engine available for them to use. People sometimes use the word “Google” to replace the word “search” when they’re talking about doing online research.
While it’s safe to say that Google is one of the most comprehensive and easy-to-use search engines out there, it’s far from the only option. Here, we’re going to look at seven search engines that you can consider aside from Google, to help you reduce your reliance on the search giant.

1. Bing

In terms of global market share, Bing is the second largest search engine after Google – even if it does lag quite far behind the number one contender. Designed by Microsoft, Bing has a fantastic hold on the market when it comes to helping creative types find visual content. The search results you get on Bing are delivered by Yahoo! Search, and the ever-changing background is created using pictures from Bing’s image search function.

Similarly, to Google, Bing can offer extra services besides search, including translation, conversion rates and more.

2. Yahoo!

It’s hard to believe that Google wasn’t the first search engine on the internet, but the truth is that before you could just “Google it,” Yahoo was already available. There are only a fraction of internet users that still rely on Yahoo for their daily searching requirements, but this site still happens to be the third most popular search engine after Bing.

Yahoo! Has plenty to offer aside from search results, including an email service, news aggregator, online shopping portal, and travel directory. Yahoo also provides support for up to 38 languages.

3. DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is a search engine alternative that’s all about giving you more privacy when you browse. Although it might not be as well-known to some as Bing, DuckDuckGo has gained popularity in the online world very quickly thanks to its private share function.

The USP of this compelling search engine is very simple. DuckDuckGo doesn’t collect any personal information about users, and it doesn’t pass your data onto third parties. If you’re looking for an ad-free search experience, this is the choice for you.

4. Qwant

If you’re looking for a search engine that values privacy, then Qwant offers an experience that’s very similar to DuckDuckGo. The whole point of this engine is that it never records your searches or personal data. This means that you can browse freely without worrying about what other companies might do with your information.

The user interface on Qwant is very clean and simple, which makes it quite attractive to anyone searching for a Google alternative. You can also check out searches in the news, and on social media with Qwant.

5. Search Encrypt

Search Encrypt is a simple and effective metasearch engine that also focuses on privacy, similarly to DuckDuckGo and Qwant. The website claims that no tracking is permitted when it comes to identifying personal information. Additionally, the searches that you make on Search Encrypt are naturally encrypted.

Although this search engine is relatively new to the online world, it’s quickly gaining popularity, with millions of new visitors every day. Like many of the most popular search engines on the market, Search Encrypt also offers a very clean user interface that makes it feel simple and familiar to use.

6. SearX

SearX is another compelling metasearch engine that aims to make the internet a more “decentralized” place. Like many modern search engines, SearX is committed to not storing user data, and you can rest assured that you’ll always get unbiased results when you look for content with it.

SearX retrieves its search results from many different sources across the web, including Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Wikipedia, and many more. Additionally, SearX is an open-source platform that’s available as a source code for developers who want to create their own custom search engine.

7. Ask

Ask is a very well-known search engine, previously called “Ask Jeeves.” This simple question and answer format search engine returns search results usually if you type in a term that isn’t phrased as a question too.
The search results that you get on Ask will be presented very similarly to Google or Yahoo. Additionally, you’ll be able to check out some of the frequently asked related questions to terms you search for at the side of the page. This can be handy for both everyday searchers and marketers looking for keyword and content ideas.