50 Alternatives to Google Search Engine

As a Startup founder, you should focus on optimizing your site for Google first - especially since it has 90% of the global market share. Then comes Bing and then Yahoo.

But as with most things in life, just because it's the most popular doesn't mean it's the best for you in every situation. There are at least 50 alternative Search Engines users opt for. Let's explore what these engines are and if its worth optimizing your site for them.

Privacy-Focused Alternative Search Engines

Privacy is becoming a significant concern for many internet users. These search engines are designed to keep your data safe and secure, ensuring your online activities remain private.

1. DuckDuckGo
   DuckDuckGo is built on privacy-first principles. It aggregates search results from over 400 sources, including its own crawler (DuckDuckBot) and other engines like Bing. Unlike Google, it doesn’t track users, which means the same search query yields the same results for everyone.

   Search Algorithm: DuckDuckGo uses a hybrid approach combining crowd-sourced data from sources like Wikipedia with traditional search engines to generate results without personalization.

   Target User: Users who prioritize online privacy and anonymity. It’s particularly popular among individuals concerned about being tracked or having their data stored by search engines.
   
   News: DuckDuckGo has grown rapidly, hitting over 100 million daily searches. They’ve launched new products like the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser and extensions aimed at protecting users across the web. Their presence at events like CES and IGF highlights their ongoing commitment to privacy.
   
   

2. Startpage
   Startpage acts as a proxy between the user and Google. It delivers Google search results while removing any tracking elements.

   Search Algorithm: Startpage leverages Google’s algorithm to provide high-quality search results but ensures that all identifying information is stripped out before the results are displayed.

   Target User: Users who want the quality of Google’s search results without the tracking. It’s a go-to for those seeking a balance between powerful search capabilities and privacy.
   
   News: In 2019, Startpage was acquired by Privacy One Group, causing some concerns among privacy advocates. However, Startpage has maintained its strict privacy standards and continues to improve transparency around its operations.
   
   

3. Qwant
   Qwant is a French search engine that doesn’t track users or personalize results. It combines its own indexing technology with results from Bing.

   Search Algorithm: Qwant’s algorithm is designed to be neutral, meaning it doesn’t use personal data to influence the search results, ensuring unbiased information retrieval.

   Target User: European users, particularly those who are privacy-conscious and prefer not to rely on U.S.-based tech giants. It’s also favored by users who want neutral search results.
   
   News: Qwant has grown significantly in Europe, especially in France. With backing from the French government, Qwant is expanding its infrastructure through partnerships like the one with 3DS Outscale, enhancing its ability to offer a sovereign European search experience.
   
   

4. Searx
   Searx is an open-source metasearch engine that aggregates results from various search engines without tracking users.

   Search Algorithm: It allows users to customize their experience by choosing which engines to query and how to display results, offering a unique, private search experience.

   Target User: Developers and privacy advocates who prefer open-source solutions and want to have control over their search engine’s functionality.
   
   News: Searx has seen increased contributions from the developer community, leading to enhanced features and improved performance. The project remains a staple in the open-source privacy community, regularly featuring at events like FOSDEM.
   
   

5. Mojeek
   Mojeek is an independent search engine with its own index, focusing on privacy and transparency. It doesn’t track users and provides search results free from external influences.

   Search Algorithm: Mojeek’s algorithm is built on delivering unbiased, independent results, without any user personalization or commercial bias.

   Target User: Users looking for an independent and privacy-focused search engine. It’s ideal for those who value transparency and want an alternative to mainstream search engines.
   
   News: Mojeek continues to expand its index and improve search result relevance. The company positions itself as a strong advocate for ethical search practices, regularly participating in privacy and tech events like the Privacy Security & Trust Conference.
   
   

6. Swisscows
   Swisscows is a privacy-oriented search engine that emphasizes family-friendly content. Based in Switzerland, it uses semantic data recognition to deliver contextually relevant results without tracking users.

   Search Algorithm: It focuses on semantic search, which interprets the meaning behind a user’s search rather than just matching keywords, ensuring safe, relevant results.

   Target User: Families, educators, and anyone who needs a secure, privacy-focused search engine that delivers safe content suitable for all ages.
   
   News: Swisscows has expanded its services, including launching a secure email service. The company continues to innovate, particularly in AI-driven semantic search, to enhance user experience.
   
   

7. MetaGer
   MetaGer is a German metasearch engine that pulls results from multiple sources while maintaining user anonymity. It also offers a proxy feature for viewing search results without revealing IP addresses.

   Search Algorithm: MetaGer’s algorithm focuses on aggregating and anonymizing search results from various sources to provide a comprehensive, private search experience.

   Target User: European users, especially those looking for enhanced privacy and anonymity in their searches. It’s also popular among privacy advocates and those concerned with data sovereignty.
   
   News: MetaGer has strengthened its collaborations with European research institutions and has been active in advocating for stronger privacy laws within the EU. The search engine continues to develop features that align with its privacy-focused mission.
   
   

8. Ecosia
   Ecosia is powered by Bing but is known for using its ad revenue to fund reforestation projects.

   Search Algorithm: Ecosia uses Bing’s search algorithm, ensuring quality search results, while focusing on eco-friendly initiatives. It also does not sell user data to third parties, aligning with privacy-centric practices.

   Target User: Environmentally conscious users who want their online activities to contribute to positive environmental outcomes. It’s particularly appealing to users who are privacy-conscious and eco-conscious.
   
   News: Ecosia has surpassed the milestone of planting over 200 million trees through its ad revenue. The company has also increased its transparency, publishing monthly financial and tree-planting reports, and remains active in environmental and sustainability events.

Metasearch Alternative Search Engines

Metasearch engines pull data from multiple search engines to provide a more comprehensive list of results. They’re ideal if you want to cast a wide net or get a broader perspective.

9. Dogpile
   Dogpile combines results from Google, Yahoo, and other major search engines, offering a diverse set of results all in one place.

10. Yippy
    Yippy specializes in clustering results into categories, making it easier to find relevant information when dealing with complex queries.

11. InfoSpace
    InfoSpace aggregates results from Google, Yahoo, Bing, and others, presenting a well-rounded collection of links.

12. WebCrawler
    WebCrawler is one of the oldest metasearch engines, pulling results from top search engines like Google and Bing.

13. Metacrawler
    Metacrawler compiles search results from multiple leading engines, helping users find a broader range of content.

Open-Source Alternative Search Engines

Open-source search engines offer transparency, allowing users to see exactly how the system works. They’re often community-driven and can be customized to fit specific needs.

14. YaCy
    YaCy is a decentralized, open-source search engine where users contribute to the index. It’s a peer-to-peer system, meaning no central authority controls it.

15. Gigablast
    Gigablast is an open-source engine that has its own web crawler and index. It’s designed for those who prefer a more hands-on approach to search.

16. OpenSearch
    OpenSearch is a distributed search engine built on open-source principles. It allows for full customization and transparency.

Specialized/Niche Alternative Search Engines

Sometimes, you need more than just general information. These search engines are tailored for specific types of content, making them ideal for professionals and enthusiasts.

17. Creative Commons Search
    If you’re looking for images, music, or media with Creative Commons licenses, this search engine is your go-to tool.

18. WolframAlpha
    WolframAlpha is a computational search engine that provides direct answers, performs calculations, and generates data, making it ideal for students and professionals.

19. Google Scholar
    Google Scholar focuses on academic papers, theses, books, and scholarly articles, providing a vast repository of scholarly content.

20. PubMed
    PubMed is essential for anyone in the medical field, offering access to a vast collection of medical research articles and studies.

21. Archive.org
    Archive.org is a digital archive that allows you to search historical web pages and archived content, offering a look back in time.

22. JSTOR
    JSTOR is a digital library focused on academic journals, books, and primary sources, invaluable for researchers and students.

23. FindLaw
    FindLaw specializes in legal cases, articles, and law-related documents, making it an essential resource for legal professionals.

24. MavenSearch
    MavenSearch is tailored for Jewish content, providing access to a vast array of resources, articles, and documents.

Visual/Multimedia Alternative Search Engines

These search engines are perfect for finding images, videos, and other multimedia content. Whether you’re a designer, content creator, or just looking for inspiration, these tools have you covered.

25. Pixabay
    Pixabay offers a massive library of free images and videos, perfect for content creators who need high-quality visuals without breaking the bank.

26. TinEye
    TinEye is a reverse image search engine that helps you find the source of an image, track its usage, or discover higher resolutions.

27. Giphy
    Giphy is the go-to search engine for GIFs, offering a vast collection of animated images perfect for spicing up social media posts and presentations.

28. Flickr
    Flickr is a photo-sharing platform that doubles as a search engine for high-quality, user-contributed photos.

29. Getty Images
    Getty Images is a premier destination for high-quality stock images, making it a favorite among professional designers and marketers.

30. YouTube
    YouTube isn’t just a video-sharing platform; it’s also one of the largest search engines for video content, offering everything from tutorials to entertainment.

31. Pexels
    Pexels offers a collection of free stock photos and videos, making it an excellent resource for anyone in need of multimedia content.

Social Media Alternative Search Engines

These search engines are designed to help you navigate the vast amount of content on social media platforms. Whether you’re tracking trends, finding influencers, or monitoring brand mentions, these tools are invaluable.

32. Social Mention
    Social Mention searches across social media platforms for user-generated content, offering real-time data on mentions, sentiment, and more.

33. Talkwalker
    Talkwalker is a powerful tool for monitoring social media mentions and trends, providing deep insights into brand performance.

34. BuzzSumo
    BuzzSumo helps you find popular content and influencers on social media, making it easier to craft strategies that resonate with your audience.

35. Topsy Topsy (now defunct) was a search engine for Twitter data, allowing users to analyze tweets and trends. Though it no longer exists, its concept lives on in other tools.

36. Pipl
    Pipl is a search engine for finding people across social networks and other databases, offering detailed profiles and contact information.

37. Hootsuite
    Hootsuite allows searching and monitoring of social media platforms, helping brands manage their online presence effectively.

38. Mention
    Mention is a real-time social media search engine that lets you monitor brand mentions across the web, ensuring you stay on top of conversations about your business.

In most cases, these alternative search engines will contribute less than 1% of your site’s traffic. While it’s a good idea to get your site listed in these engines, it’s not prudent to spend too much time optimizing for each one individually. Instead, focus on maintaining proper site architecture, ensuring sitemaps are valid and accessible using the techniques described below:

Setup Google Search Console

Setting up Google Search Console is a straightforward process that allows you to monitor and optimize your website’s presence in Google search results. Follow these steps:

1. Sign in to Google Search Console:

   • Go to Google Search Console.
   • Sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have one, create a free Google account.
     
     

2. Add a Property:

   • Once logged in, click the "Add Property" button.
   • You will be prompted to enter your website’s URL. There are two methods:
     • Domain: Enter your domain name (e.g., example.com). This option covers all subdomains (e.g., www.example.com, blog.example.com) and multiple protocols (http, https).
     • URL Prefix: Enter a specific URL (e.g., https://www.example.com). This method is easier to verify but covers only the exact URL you enter.
       
       

3. Verify Ownership:

   • Google needs to verify that you own the domain or website.
   • Domain Verification: If you chose the Domain option, you’ll need to verify ownership through your domain name provider. This usually involves adding a TXT record to your DNS configuration.
   • URL Prefix Verification: Google offers multiple verification methods, including:
     • HTML file upload: Download a file provided by Google and upload it to your website’s root directory.
     • HTML tag: Add a meta tag provided by Google to your website’s <head> section.
     • Google Analytics: Verify using your existing Google Analytics account, provided it’s linked to the same website.
     • Google Tag Manager: Use Google Tag Manager if it’s installed on your website.
   • After applying one of these methods, click the "Verify" button.
     
     

4. Submit Your Sitemap:

   • After verification, go to the "Sitemaps" section in the left-hand menu.
   • Enter the URL of your sitemap (e.g., https://www.example.com/sitemap.xml) and click "Submit". Most CMS platforms automatically generate a sitemap for you.
     
     

5. Explore the Dashboard:

   • Once set up, you can start exploring your site’s performance data. The dashboard provides insights into search queries, indexing issues, mobile usability, and more.
   • Use this information to optimize your website for better search rankings and resolve any issues Google identifies.

Setup Bing Webmaster Tools

Setting up a Bing Webmaster Tools account allows you to monitor and optimize your website’s presence in Bing search results. Here’s how to get started:

1. Sign Up for Bing Webmaster Tools:

   • Visit the Bing Webmaster Tools website.
   • Sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don’t have one, you can create a free Microsoft account using any email address.

2. Add Your Website:

   • Once logged in, click the "Add a Site" button on the dashboard.
   • Enter your website’s URL (e.g., https://www.example.com) and click "Add".

3. Provide Your Sitemap URL:

   • After adding your site, Bing will prompt you to enter the URL of your sitemap (e.g., https://www.example.com/sitemap.xml).
   • If your CMS (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, etc.) automatically generates a sitemap, you can enter that URL here. If not, you can create one using a sitemap generator tool.

4. Verify Ownership:

   • Bing needs to verify that you own the website you’ve added. You can choose from several verification methods:

     • XML File Verification: Download an XML file from Bing and upload it to your website’s root directory.
     • Meta Tag Verification: Copy the provided meta tag and paste it into the <head> section of your website’s homepage HTML.
     • CNAME Record: Add a CNAME record to your DNS settings. This option is available through your domain registrar.
     • Google Search Console: If you’ve already verified your site with Google Search Console, you can import the verification into Bing Webmaster Tools directly.

   • After completing one of the verification methods, click the "Verify" button.

5. Explore the Bing Webmaster Tools Dashboard:

   • Once your site is verified, you’ll have access to the Bing Webmaster Tools dashboard. Here, you can:
     • View Search Performance: Track how your site is performing in Bing search results, including keyword rankings, impressions, and clicks.
     • Submit URLs for Indexing: Ensure that new or updated pages are indexed quickly by Bing.
     • Monitor Site Health: Use the site scan feature to identify and fix issues like broken links, crawl errors, or missing metadata.
     • View Backlinks: Analyze the backlinks pointing to your site, which can help you understand your site’s authority.

6. Submit Your Sitemap (Optional):

   • If you didn’t submit your sitemap during the initial setup, you can do it later by navigating to the "Sitemaps" section in the dashboard.
   • Enter your sitemap URL and click "Submit".

7. Set Up Alerts and Notifications:

   • You can configure Bing Webmaster Tools to send you alerts and notifications about your site’s performance, issues, or security vulnerabilities.
   • This ensures you’re always informed about any critical changes or problems.

Setup automated sitemap.xml Schema

Setting up an automated sitemap.xml on common content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and HubSpot is essential for SEO. Sitemaps help search engines like Google and Bing index your website more efficiently. Here's how to set up and manage automated sitemaps on these platforms:

1. WordPress

Using Yoast SEO Plugin:

1. Install Yoast SEO:

   • In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for "Yoast SEO" and click Install Now. After installation, click Activate.

2. Enable XML Sitemaps:

   • Once activated, go to SEO > General > Features.
   • Scroll down to XML sitemaps and ensure it is turned on.
   • Click Save Changes.

3. View Your Sitemap:

   • Yoast SEO automatically generates a sitemap at /sitemap_index.xml. You can view it by going to https://www.yourdomain.com/sitemap_index.xml.

Using Rank Math SEO Plugin (Alternative):

1. Install Rank Math SEO:
   • Go to Plugins > Add New, search for "Rank Math," and install the plugin.
2. Enable Sitemaps:
   • After activation, go to Rank Math > Sitemap Settings.
   • Ensure the Sitemaps option is enabled. You can customize the settings for posts, pages, categories, etc.
   • Your sitemap will be available at https://www.yourdomain.com/sitemap_index.xml.

2. Squarespace

Automated Sitemap Setup:

1. Built-In Sitemap:

   • Squarespace automatically generates a sitemap for you.
   • You can access your sitemap at https://www.yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml.

2. No Additional Configuration Needed:

   • Squarespace’s sitemap is updated automatically whenever you add or remove pages, so no manual setup is required.

3. Wix

Automated Sitemap Setup:

1. Built-In Sitemap:

   • Wix automatically generates and updates your sitemap without any additional configuration.
   • Your sitemap is accessible at https://www.yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml.

2. Customizing Your Sitemap (Optional):

   • In the Wix dashboard, go to Settings > SEO > Sitemaps.
   • You can exclude specific pages from the sitemap if needed.

4. HubSpot

Automated Sitemap Setup:

1. Built-In Sitemap:

   • HubSpot automatically generates and manages your sitemap.
   • You can access your sitemap at https://www.yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml.

2. Customizing Your Sitemap:

   • Go to Website > SEO & Crawlers in your HubSpot dashboard.
   • From there, you can manage which pages are included or excluded from your sitemap.

Submitting Your Sitemap to Search Engines

Regardless of your CMS, once your sitemap is set up, it's crucial to submit it to Google and Bing. This will help other alternative search engines access your site and source new organic traffic to your site.