Google isn’t exactly playing fair. Or perhaps it’s simply becoming too powerful for its own good. This sentiment is coming from the U.S. Department of Justice, where a federal judge has recently determined that the company has illegally maintained a monopoly in the online search and advertising sectors through longstanding partnerships with major tech firms like Samsung and Apple.

Of course, Google’s leadership isn’t happy with this ruling, and the company’s global affairs president has announced plans to appeal. Still, this could be the perfect time for us to reassess our reliance on Google and explore other options. We don’t necessarily need to “google” everything; there is a diverse range of search engines available where we can Bing, Ask, and DuckDuck to our heart’s desire.

Why Consider Alternatives to Google? 

Google is the leading search engine because it is fast, user-friendly, and integrates seamlessly with numerous apps and services you likely already use, such as YouTube, Gmail, and Google Docs. Its widespread use is often attributed to it being the default search engine on many mobile devices, including Apple’s Safari browser. This is where the Justice Department’s concerns come in. In 2022, Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., paid Apple $20 billion to remain the default search engine on devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

However, seeking alternatives isn’t solely about breaking free from the pack. That recognizable Google logo also masks years of privacy issues, data mining, and search results that sometimes miss the mark. Besides social media platforms where we provide a wealth of personal information, Google’s data knowledge likely surpasses that of any other corporation, using it to deliver targeted advertisements aimed at clicks.

With personal data as its core business model, Google has amassed substantial power and is currently facing legal challenges domestically and internationally for these practices. Ironically, this has led to a notable surge in search trends on Google itself for queries like “What’s the best alternative to Google?” and “Which search engine is the most trustworthy?”

Are There More Private Search Engines Than Google? 

If privacy tops your concerns, DuckDuckGo could be an excellent option. Founded on the belief that relevant search results do not require personal data exchange, DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your searches or store your data, preventing the creation of a profile on you. Its interface is clean and user-friendly, presenting results similarly to Google, complete with filters for geography, date, and other criteria.

DuckDuckGo also allows for news, image, and video searches just like Google. However, its privacy features are what really set it apart. For $9.99 a month, you can upgrade to Privacy Pro, which includes a built-in VPN, options to remove your personal information from data brokers selling your info, and identity theft restoration services if needed.

The potential drawbacks are minimal but deserve mention: Lack of personalized tracking might make the search results slightly less relevant to you. This typically shouldn’t matter for most searches, though Google’s tailored results may have an edge. Additionally, DuckDuckGo might offer fewer results for very niche topics—does anyone want insights on spinning dog hair into yarn or collecting ball-jointed dolls? It draws from a mix of sources, including Bing and Yahoo!, alongside its web crawler, so you’ll usually find satisfactory results.

Which Search Engine is Best for Visual Content?

If visuals are what you seek, Bing might be where you want to go. Microsoft’s rival search engine emphasizes high-quality images and videos, adding fun features and tools along the way.

Its results page layout is reminiscent of Google’s, but it carries a more Instagram or Pinterest vibe compared to Google’s simpler aesthetic. Bing also showcases search suggestions and provides larger previews for news articles, Wikipedia entries, and more at a glance.

Bing is also a pioneer in the use of AI in search engines, offering users full access to Microsoft’s Copilot AI, which helps by answering queries and gathering information from the internet to provide clear topic summaries. Additionally, Bing runs a rewards program where users can earn points to exchange for real-life prizes, making it a nice perk.

However, search results can be affected by the lingering feeling that “it’s just not Google,” and the positioning of ads can sometimes disrupt the otherwise calm appearance of the site. It’s particularly frustrating when site listings show ads disguised as genuine results, which I find misleading. Furthermore, Bing does not guarantee the same level of privacy as DuckDuckGo, as it is linked to your Microsoft account, assuming you have one.

What happened to Yahoo!?

The intense rivalry between Google and Yahoo! might be a thing of the past, yet Yahoo! remains among the most visited websites, and its search function is still competent. Since it mainly uses Bing for search results, you can expect quality output similar to Microsoft’s search engine.

You might ask why you would choose Yahoo! since it relies on Bing’s technology, and that’s a valid question. Yahoo! offers more than just search; its additional features and tools are what really attract users.

Yahoo! Finance is one of the standout platforms for business news and stock information, while its coverage of news and sports is extensive. Moreover, I still use Yahoo! Mail, which may seem outdated, but I share this choice with over 220 million other users.

Yahoo!’s robust search capability makes it a convenient option for many online users who prefer an alternative to the Google ecosystem.

Nevertheless, a notable critique of Yahoo! Search is that it appears to have lost its initial spark. It no longer shines like it did during Marissa Mayer’s leadership from 2012 to 2017, which many users miss. At present, Yahoo! resembles Facebook compared to Instagram, lacking the trendy appeal that once attracted users. Furthermore, Yahoo! Search is continuously updated and revamped, making its past glories feel distant.

Nonetheless, Yahoo! still makes a compelling case for those who appreciate a search engine combined with a modern email service, news breaching, and live stock updates.

What about AOL search? Or Ask? 

AOL remains active as a web search engine, operating under the same umbrella as Yahoo! but lacking the former’s stature. Its interface is clean and user-friendly, similar to Yahoo!’s, offering a filter for potentially offensive content. Although the image search filters are good, they don’t quite measure up to Google’s. Unfortunately, privacy isn’t a strong point for AOL, as it allows tracking of your location and activities by default, so make sure to switch off those settings if you want to maintain privacy.

Long-time internet users might remember when Ask Jeeves was all the rage. Nowadays, Ask.com is what remains of that legacy. While it’s not as groundbreaking as it once was two decades ago, it can still serve as a viable alternative to Google. It functions best when you pose it a specific question, though it presents results in the same familiar list format as other search engines.

A key drawback of using Ask.com is the occasional randomness of search results. For instance, looking up “Travis Kelce” might yield results about various other Travises—such as singer Randy Travis, former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, and even construction firm Travis Perkins—before you find information on the NFL player. This can be attributed to Ask outsourcing its search tasks to other companies while heavily integrating paid advertisements into search results.

What are other good alternatives to Google Search?

There are numerous specialized sites available to kick off your online search.

• Ecosia commits to planting trees in ecologically sensitive areas as you use its platform and promises to uphold your privacy.

• Gibiru is another option that emphasizes privacy, claiming there is no activity tracking, ads, or any hidden agenda following you around the web.

• If you are looking for a more emotional approach, consider Mojeek, a UK-based search engine. It also claims not to track or sell your data, but what’s particularly fascinating is thatIt allows users to search according to their emotions. You can enter your query and select an emoji-like symbol, such as a heart to express “love,” a laughing face for “haha,” or a surprised face for “wow,” among other options. For example, when I looked up “Olympic breakdancer Raygun,” the website provided some distinct and varied results depending on whether I clicked the “love” emoji or the “sad” emoji. This is an intriguing concept, albeit still quite niche, and it seems more like an initial version of an idea rather than a fully developed tool ready for wide adoption at this moment.There are numerous alternatives available, so if you’ve discovered a different search engine you can’t stop raving about to your friends, feel free to share it with me!

  Jennifer Jolly is a consumer tech columnist and on-air correspondent who has received an Emmy Award. The opinions expressed in this column are solely her own and do not necessarily represent those of YSL News. You can reach her at JJ@Techish.com.