22 Advanced Alternative Search Engines of 2024

Google often takes center stage in SEO discussions because it’s a huge player, mainly due to its massive market share. According to StatCounter, Google holds over 90% of the mobile and tablet market and approximately 80% of the desktop global search engine market share.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that Google isn’t the sole choice available. The internet has hundreds of search engines, each with its unique focus. Some cater specifically to tech news or research papers, while others stand out by providing concise answers instead of overwhelming users with millions of pages.

Why to look for alternatives? 

Alternative search engines offer various options beyond traditional giants, addressing concerns such as privacy and environmental impacts and providing specialized search capabilities. 

We would like to present to you some of the most advanced alternatives to Google that excel in specific searches, offering a different perspective. While we’re not claiming they’re superior to Google, they can be valuable in uncovering information that Google might not highlight.

In our selection, we’ve excluded major players like Bing, Baidu, and Yahoo Search, as our aim is to bring attention to lesser-known options and broaden your awareness of search engine choices.

Did you know? 

DuckDuckGo has seen a significant increase in popularity, reaching over 3 billion monthly searches and 6 million monthly downloads. 

22. StartPage

Launched in 2002

StartPage pioneered private searching, being the first search engine that doesn’t record user details and refrains from using cookies unless you choose to save your preferences. It also offers a proxy for users seeking complete internet privacy.

In 2014, the company introduced StartMail, a privacy-focused email service. By 2015, the search engine achieved a peak of 5.7 million daily direct queries (28-day average). In 2020, the Vivaldi browser included StartPage as an optional search engine.

In 2022, StartPage added “Instant Answer,” a feature that shows information directly on the search engine for topics related to maps and weather. 

21. BoardReader

Launched in 2000

BoardReader allows you to explore content within forums or find forums related to specific topics. It’s a valuable tool for any type of community research.  

BoardReader has advanced search options to narrow down results. This includes filtering results based on specific forums, date ranges, and languages. 

While the front-end has a straightforward and effective design for a forum search engine, there may be concerns about the back-end, as some speculate that user data might be utilized for advertising purposes.

20. FindSounds

Launched in the early 2000s

FindSounds is the perfect search engine for finding sound effects for personal or commercial use. Just filter the results before you begin, using the suitable checkboxes.

You can search for anything by category, from animal to vehicle sound effects, and the search engine will return you detailed results, along with file format, length, and bit-rate information.

While Google is an option for finding sound effects, FindSounds stands out as a dedicated sound engine, streamlining your search and helping you quickly locate the specific element you’re looking for.

More specifically, it searches a massive index of over 1,000,000 sounds available online. This index is primarily comprised of sound effects and musical instrument samples. Results are provided in WAV, AU, and AIFF formats, catering to both mono and stereo preferences. 

19. Swisscows

Launched in 2014

Swisscows is a privacy-focused search engine that doesn’t store personal data or track your’ search behavior. It doesn’t even use ad tracking or personalized advertising. 

The website is hosted in Switzerland, which is known for its strong privacy laws.

The engine utilizes semantic search technology, aiming to understand the meaning behind user queries and deliver more relevant results. This improves the quality of search results.

18. SearchCode

Launched in 2011

SearchCode is a free source code and documentation search engine that finds code snippets from open-source repositories. It has indexed over 75 billion lines of code from 40 million+ projects on Google Code, Github, Sourceforge, GitLab, Bitbucket, Codeplex, and more.

What sets SearchCode apart is its ability to handle special characters used in code, a challenge for many web crawlers. This engine allows you to search for code based on method names, variable names, operations, usage, security flaws, and special characters, providing faster results than other code search engines.

You can also narrow down results based on parameters like file type, license, repository, and code size. This helps you find the most relevant code snippets for your needs.

And since it provides a code preview within the search results, you can quickly assess the relevance of the code you are looking for.

17. Mojeek

why mojeek? it’s a transformation of logic, nothing more, nothing less pic.twitter.com/kjWl10UZo6

— Mojeek (@mojeek) December 2, 2023

Launched in 2004

Mojeek has its own web crawler and index, which means it creates its search results from its own database rather than relying on results from other search engines. This leads to unique search results.

It provides neutral and unbiased search results by not customizing results based on user search history or personal information. It also emphasizes user privacy and claims not to track users or store personal data.

Mojeek indexes over 7.6 billion pages, which may not be as large as major search engines, but it covers a significant portion of the web, offering a broad range of search results. 

16. Qwant

Launched in 2013

Qwant offers a more private alternative to mainstream search engines that often gather and use user data for targeted advertising. It doesn’t personalize search results based on the user’s search history or personal information. 

In 2022, they released a browsing extension called “Qwant VIPrivacy” that automatically blocks trackers and cookies when browsing. 

Qwant categorizes search results into different sections, such as web, social, news, and shopping, providing organized and relevant results. You can control privacy settings, manage cookies, and adjust preferences related to your search experience.

For younger users, there’s a separate version called “Qwant Junior,” which provides a secure and filtered environment tailored for children.

15. Kiddle

Launched in 2014

Kiddle is a child-safe search engine designed to filter out age-inappropriate content unsuitable for children. While it relies on Google Custom Search and utilizes Google SafeSearch, it maintains its own database of inappropriate keywords and websites.

Notably, search results on Kiddle are slightly adjusted for simplicity. For example, a search for “Bill Gates” might prioritize webpages from sites like ducksters.com and kidskonnect.com over Wikipedia and news websites. This adjustment aims to present easy-to-read and straightforward content that kids can understand without much effort.

Moreover, Kiddle’s interface designed to be visually appealing to children, featuring colorful and engaging graphics. This design choice aims to enhance the search experience, making it more enjoyable and age-appropriate for young users.

14. MetaGer

Launched in 1996

MetaGer is a German-based metasearch engine developed using 24 small-scale web crawlers. It gathers search results from 50 differen search engines and presents them in one unified list.

MetaGer prioritizes user privacy by ensuring searches leave no trace, making them untraceable. Additionally, it integrates a proxy server, allowing users to open any link anonymously from the search results and keeping their IP addresses hidden from destination servers. This helps prevent advertisers from targeting users with ads.

And since MetaGer is an open-source project, its source code is publicly available for review. This contributes to transparency and allows developers to scrutinize its privacy features.

13. Libraries.io

Launched in 2015

This is an open-source search engine for finding software development projects, including new frameworks, libraries, and tools. It monitors more than 7.7 million open-source libraries across 32 different package managers.

In order to collect the library information, the website uses a dominant package manager for each supported programming language. Then, it organizes them by the package manager, programming language, license (MIT or GPL), and by keyword.

It also provides information about different versions of software libraries, including release notes, dependencies, and other relevant details. 

12. Creative Commons Search

Launched in 2003

This search engine is especially useful for bloggers and authors seeking content that can be reused in blog posts or other commercial applications. Users can search for images and content released under the Creative Commons license.

The search tool aggregates content from multiple platforms that offer Creative Commons-licensed material. These platforms may include Flickr, Wikimedia Commons, YouTube, Pixabay, SoundCloud, and others.

You can filter search results based on different Creative Commons license types, such as Attribution (CC BY), Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA), and more.

11. Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE)

Launched in 2004

Developed by the Bielefeld University Library in Germany, this specialized search engine provides access to scholarly and academic resources. 

It searches through over 349 million documents from 11,300+ content sources, providing information about resources, including bibliographic details, abstracts, and links to the full text when available. 

You can use its advanced search options to refine your searchers. For example, you can filter results by language, source, publication type, and date. 

10. Dogpile

Launched in 1996

Another metasearch engine in the lineup, this one retrieves results from various search engines and directories, including Google, Bing, and Yahoo, and then presents them in a consolidated format. 

It comes with an advanced search option, allowing users to refine searches by exact phrase, date, language, and adult content. Additionally, you can personalize your preferences and customize default search settings.

Dogpile goes beyond the search results by suggesting related content based on the original search term. It also keeps track of the 15 most recent searches and showcases recent popular searches from other users.

9. Internet Archive

Journey through vintage technology catalogs with Cabel Sasser as he recounts the allure of DAK Electronics and his quest of acquiring & digitizing back issues of the long-defunct catalog, now available on Internet Archive. https://t.co/Dq3u06KSti pic.twitter.com/wL5xx9o9I5

— Internet Archive (@internetarchive) November 30, 2023

Launched in 1996

The Internet Archive is a nonprofit digital library with the goal of offering universal access to all knowledge. It comprises websites, music, images, videos, software applications, games, and over 3.5 million books that are in the public domain.

It contains more than

• 38 million print materials 
• 15 million audio files,
• 11.6 million pieces of audiovisual content,
• 4.7 million pictures,
• 2.6 million software tools, and 
• 832 billion web pages in its Wayback Machine.

These diverse collections make Internet Archive one of the world’s largest digitization projects. 

Like other platforms, the Internet Archive has advanced search options, which allow you to refine your searches based on criteria such as date, language, creator, and collection.

8. Yandex

Launched in 1997

Yandex is the largest search engine in Russia, with nearly 52% of the Russian market share. It uses its own search algorithm to deliver relevant search results. 

Yandex offers a unique parallel search feature that displays results not only from the main web index but also from specialized information resources such as blogs, news, image/video pages, and eCommerce sites.

This search engine goes beyond the basics by providing supplementary information, such as sports results. It also includes helpful features like spell checkers, autocomplete functionality, and an antivirus tool that detects malicious content on web pages.

7. Presearch

Launched in 2017

Presearch is a decentralized search engine built on blockchain technology. Presearch uses its own cryptocurrency token called “PRE” (Presearch Tokens) to reward users for their online searches. 

It emphasizes user privacy and gives you more control over your search experience. You can choose from several search engines (YouTube, Bing, Google) and customize search preferences within the Presearch platform. 

It is developed as an open-source project, and its code is available on GitHub for public review. 

6. WolframAlpha

Need a question for Trivia Night? How about “How many stitches are on a MLB baseball?” ⚾ Find out the answer to this question and more with Wolfram|Alpha: https://t.co/ZYLPPVk7yP pic.twitter.com/uK2XNyWd1q

— Wolfram|Alpha (@Wolfram_Alpha) November 2, 2023

Launched in 2009

WolframAlpha is a computational knowledge engine that answers factual questions from externally sourced curated data. Unlike traditional search engines, it doesn’t provide a list of web pages or documents. Instead, users receive a concise, one-word, or one-line response directly to their query.

This unique engine is written in Wolfram programming language (containing over 15 million lines of code) and operates on over 10,000 CPUs. It is built on the Wolfram Mathematica computational platform, which encompasses capabilities in numerical computation, computer algebra, statistics, and visualization.

The platform is widely used in academia, research, and various fields where precise computational results and detailed knowledge are essential. Its database is continuously updated with new information so that users get access to the latest data and computational capabilities.

5. JSTOR

Attention #librarians and #faculty members! Looking to level up your #PrimarySource instruction? #JSTOR has got you covered! Discover a wide range of services to enhance your teaching and learning experience.

Learn more: https://t.co/K3SKgY8eEx pic.twitter.com/YjArbMEOcC

— JSTOR (@JSTOR) December 18, 2023

Launched in 1994

Journal Storage (JSTOR) has a massive collection of scholarly content, including academic journal articles, books, and primary source materials. It gives you access to back issues of thousands of academic journals, allowing you to explore historical scholarly research.

It also provides full-text access to a significant portion of its content. You can read, download, and print articles directly from the platform.

While some content is freely accessible, some require a subscription or institutional access through participating libraries and academic institutions.

4. Ask.com

Launched in 1996

Ask.com is a question-and-answer-focused search engine. You can ask questions in a more conversational manner, and the search engine attempts to understand the context of the query. Despite its age, Ask remains highly active and has integrated a robust question-and-answer system with billions of online content.

The platform has undergone changes in its search technology and algorithms over time. It has shifted its focus from the original question-and-answer format to a more traditional search engine approach.

As of 2023, the website had 35 million global users per month with a particularly substantial user base in the US. Furthermore, its mobile app has been downloaded over 40 million times.

Ask.com expanded its reach by acquiring Ask.fm, a social networking site where users can pose questions, including the option of anonymity. Currently, Ask.fm handles around 20,000 questions every minute.

3. Brave Search

Launched in 2021

This open-source search engine is developed by Brave Software, the same company behind the Brave web browser. It delivers search results without tracking users or their search queries. 

Brave Search is built to be independent, which means it creates its own index of the web. This independence reduces reliance on major search engine indexes and promotes unbiased results. 

The platform also offers ad-free search option. You can choose to pay for search without ads or use the free, ad-supported version. 

2. Ecosia

Launched in 2009

Ecosia, a unique search engine, allocates 80% of its profits to tree planting initiatives, emphasizing full financial transparency. As of 2023, the platform achieved a significant milestone by planting more than 188.6 million trees.

In 2015, Ecosia was recognized in the European Tech Startups Awards, shortlisted in the category of ‘Best European Startup Aimed at Improving Society.’

Ecosia’s search results are powered by Bing and its own search algorithms. The company asserts that 45 searches are sufficient to fund the planting of a single tree, with algorithms in place to identify and invalidate fake clicks.

Currently, it’s the default search engine of Vivaldi, Waterfox, and Polarity web browsers.

1. DuckDuckGo

Launched in 2008

DuckDuckGo is the best alternative option available out there. It doesn’t gather any personal information or store your search history, ensuring user privacy. The absence of personal data collection means users won’t be followed by targeted ads, as DuckDuckGo has nothing to sell to advertisers.

Unlike search engines that provide personalized results, DuckDuckGo takes a different approach. It delivers the best results for a given search query without tailoring them to individual users.

It employs smart and sophisticated semantic search techniques, akin to Google, relying on a highly developed contextual library to understand and interpret the user’s intent effectively.

In 2022, DuckDuckGo achieved a new milestone with over 111.7 million daily searches. However, since then, the search engine has encountered a period of stagnation and a slight decrease in the number of searches per month.

More To Know

Can alternative search engines compete with Google’s search capabilities?

While Google remains a dominant force, alternative search engines can compete in specific ways. For example, academic search engines like WolframAlpha and JSTOR provide in-depth and specialized information that may not be the primary focus of general search engines like Google and Bing. 

DuckDuckGo and StartPage differentiate themselves by prioritizing user privacy.

Decentralized search engines like Presearch take a community-driven approach, letting users actively engage in decision-making and contribute to the platform’s development. Open-source search engines like Searx allow users to customize and tailor their search experience. 

How do decentralized search engines work?

Decentralized search engines leverage distributed networks and blockchain technology to provide a more democratic, privacy-focused alternative to traditional, centralized search engines. 

Some engines like Presearch utilize a community-driven model, rewarding users with tokens for participation and aiming to provide more transparency in the search process.

Because of their decentralized architecture, these search engines are often more resistant to censorship. This means it is very difficult for any single entity to control or restrict the flow of information.

Search engine market size

According to Business Research Insights, the global search engine market size will reach $477 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11%. The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the market share. Major companies are likely to focus their efforts on this region, targeting the younger demographic.

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