Best Google search alternatives
If you are looking for a change from Google, there are many alternatives that offer different features, benefits, and levels of privacy. Some of them are based on the same technology as Google, while others use their own algorithms and methods. Here are some of the best Google search alternatives that we recommend.
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1. Brave
2. Startpage
- 1 pick for secure and private email. You can get an Exclusive deal for CyberGuy readers: 60% off: $23.98 for first year ($2 per month, billed annually). Includes a free 7-day trial.
- Cannot be forced to comply with US government surveillance programs like PRISM since it is based in the Netherlands.
3. Ecosia
4. Disconnect Search
5. Opera
- Opera is a fast, secure, and innovative web browser that offers a variety of features and benefits.
- Opera has a built-in ad blocker, VPN, crypto wallet, news reader, video pop-out, and more, making it a versatile and convenient browser for different needs and preferences.
- Opera is compatible with most websites and extensions and supports multiple platforms, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
- Opera is constantly improving and updating its browser with new features, enhancements, and bug fixes, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable browsing experience.
6. DuckDuckGo
- DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that doesn’t track your searches or personal information.
- It offers a clean interface and quick search results without the clutter of ads based on your search history.
- DuckDuckGo provides additional privacy features like tracker blocking and a privacy grade rating for each website you visit.
- It’s available as a web browser extension and a mobile app, providing secure search across all your devices.
Bonus: 5 important settings to change on your Chrome browser
If you insist on using Google Chrome, there are several precautions you can take to enhance your privacy:
1. Unlink browser from your Google account
- Open the Google Account settings page in your web browser. You can do this by going to https://myaccount.google.com or by clicking on your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of any Google page and selecting “Manage your Google Account.“
- Once you’re on the Google Account page, click on the “Security” tab on the left sidebar.
- Scroll down to the “Your devices” section and click on “Manage all devices.“
- You’ll see a list of devices that are currently connected to your Google account. Find the device or browser that you want to unlink and click on it.
- On the device details page, click on the “Sign out” button next to the device name. This will sign out the device from your Google account.
2. Turn on safe browsing
- From the same Google Account settings page in your web browser, click on the “Security” tab.
- Scroll down to the section that says “Enhanced Safe Browsing for your account.” Click on “Manage Enhanced Safe Browsing” and click the switch in the box.
- Click “Turn on” on the pop-up.
- From the same Google Account settings page in your web browser, click on the “Data & Privacy” tab.
- Scroll down to “History settings.“
- Turn off “Web & App Activity,” “Location History,” and “YouTube History.“
4. Turn off sending usage data and URLs to Google
- Click on the three vertical dots
in the top right of your Chrome browser. - Scroll down and tap Settings
- Click on “Sync and Google services.”
- On the tab “Help improve Chrome’s features and performance” make sure your switch is turned off.
- On the tab “Make searches and browsing better” make sure your switch is turned off.
5. Set new default search engine from your computer’s web browser
- Click on the three vertical dots
in the top right of your Chrome browser. - Click on the three lines next to “Settings” at the top of the page.
- Click on “Search Engine” in the left-hand strip and change from Google to your choice of alternate engine.
- Click on “Manage search engines and site search” and scroll down to the section with the header “Search engines.”
- Click on the three dots next to your preferred search engine and click make default.
- If your preferred engine is not already listed, click on the pencil next to one of the other engines and enter the URL and name of the one you want. Then hit Save.
For added safety, use a VPN
Kurt’s key takeaways
In the age of Google’s dominance, the extent of information harvested without consent is alarming, but there are browser alternatives like Brave, Startpage, Ecosia, Disconnect Search, and Opera. It might be time to embrace these alternatives to take control of your online privacy.
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