Alternative search engines: These services are better than Google

Google is set as the standard search engine for many browsers. However, there are now many alternative search engines that either specialize in certain areas or offer more privacy. We present the best services to you here.

Google alternatives with more privacy - DuckDuckGo, Ixquick, MetaGer

For many users, the focus is particularly on greater privacy. This is what these search engines promise.

• DuckDuckGo: The service promises not to save any IP addresses, not to track the user and hardly use cookies. The search engine still offers good results and setting options. However, the servers are in the United States.
• MetaGer: With this search engine, the servers are located in Germany and are therefore also subject to German data protection law. In addition, when visiting a website, you can use the search results to "hide anonymously" behind a proxy server.
• Ixquick / Startpage: Ixquick and Startpage have been merged and, according to their own statements, form the "most discreet search engine in the world". As with MetaGer, you can also anonymously open the website and hide your IP address.

Green search engines - Ecosia, umlu, Ecosearch

Some search engines are looking to promote various environmental projects with clicks. However, the search results mostly deliver Bing, Google or Yahoo.

• Ecosia: According to its own information, the search provider donates 80 percent of its income to rainforest protection projects and to reduce CO2 emissions. The results are provided by Bing or Yahoo.
• Umlu: This search engine places sustainable products and companies higher in the results. The queries are directed to Google. However, you can only search for German-language or pages from Germany.
• Ecosearch: is a non-profit organization. 100 percent of the profits are donated to various projects - for example to the Rainforest Alliance or Healthy Child, Healthy World.

Special search engines - code check, wegreen, GoodTravel

There are also special search engine alternatives that focus on certain areas.

• Codecheck.info: This provider checks products for their ingredients and also shows whether they are potentially questionable. There is also an app with a scanner function so that you can read the products directly and receive information.
• Wegreen: Wegreen is a pure product search engine. The products are analyzed according to certain criteria - such as sustainability - and assessed using a traffic light system. There is also a plug-in that works on Amazon or Zalando, for example.
• GoodTravel: Offers a selection of particularly sustainable vacation offers. You can search for regions, countries or hotel names.