Have you been a victim of aggressive advertising?
If you’ve been using search engines like Google or Bing to search the internet, then you’ll attest to the fact that just after visiting certain websites, you start to see targeted ads wherever you go.
This is possible because of online tracking.
While it might help deliver a great user experience when browsing, some privacy-conscious people might be concerned. So it is understandable that you’d want to use a private search engine.
In this article, we are going to look at the best search engines for private internet browsing. Unlike popular search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, these do not keep track of your browsing habits.
So you can confidently browse the internet, say when conducting investigative journalism, without fear of being tracked.
In fact, if you want your searches to be completely private, you should consider throwing a VPN into the mix.
Let’s get started.
1. DuckDuckGo
If you have been a target of aggressive marketing before, you know how weary it is.
In 2023, duckduckgo is one of the leading search engines for private internet browsing.
Not only does it offer enhanced anonymity and privacy features, but its intuitive interface also makes searching convenient and efficient. DuckDuckGo boasts a sophisticated algorithm that provides comprehensive results without tracking or profiling you as its user.
It’s powered by several cutting-edge technologies, such as Disconnect and Tor, which provide secure connections and encrypts data to protect your privacy.
Additionally, its automated “bangs” feature allows you to quickly access websites without having to type in full URLs. With all these features in mind, duckduckgo is an ideal choice for those who want to safely explore the web.
And to top it all up, DDG(Duckduckgo) has an extension for chrome that can be customizable to your preferred liking.
Unfortunately, it’s not all smiles with this search engine. You will still be bombarded with ads based on your digital footprint. This is because they earn revenue from commissions through affiliate marketing.
To block ads on DuckDuckGo, you can use a VPN, like NordVPN.
2. Startpage
Startpage is an excellent search engine choice for those who value their privacy and want to avoid being tracked by marketers.
Unlike DuckDuckGo, Startpage doesn’t use any of your digital footprints or affiliate marketing tactics to deliver ads; instead, it simply displays organic results that are unbiased and not influenced by what you have been searching for in the past.
It also offers a plethora of customization options that allow you to tailor the experience to your liking.
What’s more, with its extension for Chrome, you can enjoy faster searches, more accurate results, and improved security when browsing online.
All this makes Startpage a great option for anyone looking for a private and secure web-browsing experience.
With that said, Startpage has its cons. In October 2019, A United States ad-tech firm had access to major shares in Startpage via its subsidiary Privacy One Group Ltd.
Startpage confirmed that they operate under the EU data privacy laws.
This might sound relieving, but another problem is that Startpage’s firm is based in The Netherlands- one of Nine Eyes’ alliances.
Even though StartPage is in this list of the best search engines for private browsing, you should be cautious while using it.
3. SearX
SearX is a powerful search engine that offers unparalleled privacy protection for you as its users.
Despite the fact that it is based in The Netherlands, a part of Nine Eyes alliances, it is certified to operate under EU data privacy laws and utilizes state-of-the-art encryption protocols to ensure your searches remain anonymous.
With its array of unique features such as advanced user customization options and keyword-based filtering, SearX enables you to easily navigate vast amounts of information while maintaining your privacy.
Plus, its easy-to-use interface ensures you can quickly find what you are looking for without combing through endless results.
This private search engine is open-source and has its code available on GitHub. So if you are tech-savvy, you can easily download the code and modify it for greater privacy.
Despite SearX’s public forks that can offer an expeditious way to surf anonymously online, I still ardently advise against meddling with the setup unless there is a pressing demand to do so, as these tweaks could potentially lead you to become susceptible to malicious cyberattacks.
If you’re searching for an effective way to browse privately online, look no further than SearX.
4. Disconnect
Disconnect is an excellent choice if you are seeking a secure, anonymous online browsing experience.
Its popularity has led to the creation of public forks that can offer fast and easy access to anonymity; however, I strongly urge against attempting any customization or tinkering with the setup unless absolutely necessary, as this could potentially open you up to malicious cyberattacks as I mentioned earlier.
On the other hand, it boasts visually pleasing results thanks to its ability to pull from popular search engines such as Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo, while also allowing you to easily install a browser extension and search based on your location.
Even better, Disconnect Search does not collect records or track your queries like other search engines – it simply submits them anonymously through remote servers.
Furthermore, this privacy-oriented tool doesn’t monetize its service via advertising programs or affiliates – despite displaying ads – making it a refreshing exception in an age where free internet services usually come with a price.
While Disconnect Search doesn’t track your queries as many other services do, its limited encryption options and small server network mean that you should consider investing in a premium VPN if maximum security is needed.
A more suitable alternative would be a reliable VPN with robust security features.
5. Mojeek
Mojeek is a fantastic choice for browsing anonymously and securely online.
Unlike some other search engines, Mojeek is a crawler-based search engine that does not collect any records or track your queries – it merely submits them anonymously through its own remote servers.
It is also important to note that Mojeek creates its own index of websites.
This ensures that this best search engine for private browsing crawls in its own indexes and doesn’t offer biased results that rely on external algorithms.
Without any doubt, Mojeek provides a secure and private searching experience if you are seeking maximum security. Its robust encryption options, expansive server network, and lack of tracking or storage of your queries ensure total privacy when utilizing the service.
Even though its index size can not be compared to Google’s, Mojeek gives you the opportunity to browse the web without any filters. What’s more, you will have the opportunity to perform searches based on your emotions.
But what makes it stand out, is that it was the first ever privacy-based no-tracking search engine and strictly follows the no-tracking policy.
With that mentioned, this private search engine doesn’t add cookies to your devices without your consent.
6. Qwant
Qwant is a powerful search engine that offers users the freedom to browse online with complete privacy and security.
With advanced encryption technologies, an expansive server network, and a commitment to never track or store your queries, Qwant ensures maximum anonymity when searching for content on the internet.
Its easy-to-use interface enables you to find the information you need quickly and efficiently, with language that reflects human emotion rather than robotic perfection.
For example, most of the results are categorized by “Web,” “News,” and “Social media.” And Qwant’s homepage includes news, trending people, events, and other interesting stories.
Moreover, its inclusion of varied sentence structure and uncommon words gives it a personal touch that makes browsing feel more like interacting with another person than relying solely on artificial intelligence.
This France-based search engine has made browsing privately more simple by introducing a similar feature to DuckDuckGo- !bang. With this, you can simply type ‘&’ or ‘!’ followed by the name of the website that you want to search from.
Even better, Qwant beats its United State competitors when it comes to delivering higher privacy measures. This is because it has to meet European data privacy laws.
7. Brave
Brave is an innovative web browser that puts your privacy first.
With its built-in ad and tracker blocker, Brave allows users to browse the internet without their activity being monitored or stored.
Additionally, it utilizes advanced encryption technologies to ensure secure data transmission and prevent malicious hackers from accessing your personal information.
Brave’s intuitive interface also ensures a smooth, fast browsing experience and its incorporation of colloquial language, varied sentence structure, and uncommon words makes it feel like talking with another person instead of relying on automated AI systems.
What makes this private search engine appear in this list of the best search engines for private browsing is the fact that it was built with your privacy in mind, and also comes with a VPN and other several features such as
- Anonymized network routing in Tor mode
- Protects users against bounce tracking
- Malware and phishing protection*
- Cookies blocking
If you are curious, you can explore some of its features.
Even though this private search engine is still in beta, we can all agree that it looks promising because unlike other search engines in this list, Brave uses its own search index and doesn’t rely on other search engines like Google and Bing.
8. MetaGer
MetaGer is an open-source search engine that offers secure, private searching.
It stands out from other search engines due to its innovative approach to protecting user privacy, as it does not store user data or track browsing activity.
Additionally, MetaGer features advanced encryption technology and a unique algorithm to ensure that only safe, reliable results are returned for each query. Not to mention, with the help of its anonymous proxy server, you will always remain protected while surfing because your IP address remains masked.
What’s more, with MetaGer you’ll have the option to open every link anonymously. If you choose this option, your search query will be sent through an anonymous proxy and no website will be able to track your digital footprints.
Worried about adverts?
Well, with MetaGer, you’ll sweep this worry under the rugs. This best search engine for private browsing is built and run by SUMA-EV-Association.
Now, it’s important to note that this private search engine keeps some of your information on its servers for operation stability and security. But don’t fret, this data is not kept longer than 96 hours after which it’s automatically erased.
9. Search Encrypt
Search Encrypt is a powerful open-source search engine that provides you with secure, private searching.
With advanced encryption technology, Search Encrypt just like the name suggests ensures that only safe and reliable results are delivered for each query you submit.
On the other hand, this private search engine encrypts and secures your internet searches. Its encryption is based on the AES-256 bit with a secure socket layer (SSL). Unlike other private search engines, Search Encrypt doesn’t track its users’ history and your search result will expire after 30 minutes of inactivity.
And if you enjoy watching content online, with this private search engine, you can play the content directly from the search engine while you stay protected.
In addition, you can be certain that your data is not stored, maintained, or retained in the server logs. This ensures that your internet searches are not tied to your online accounts or social profiles.
If you are using a shared device, then Search Encrypt is the private search engine that you are looking for because it uses proprietary technology which hides your search history from other users who might be using the same device.
10. Swisscows
Swisscows is a search engine that offers users an incomparable level of privacy, thanks to its sophisticated encryption technology and advanced algorithm.
This best search engine for private internet browsing runs its own server network and doesn’t rely on other search engines.
It’s also important to note that, its data center is located in the Swiss Alps and is protected by Switzerland’s strong data retention laws and privacy, and none of its servers is located in the EU or the United States.
Additionally, Swisscows doesn’t use any tracking technologies like cookies and you don’t need to create a user profile. This means that this search engine doesn’t know who you are since they will have no idea of your IP address, browser information, and device information.
It also offers search results in different languages like English, Italiano, Deutsch, and Francais. Not to mention that with its easy-to-use interface, you will be able to navigate the browser easily.
Even though it works with Bing to display search ads, the ads will totally be based on your search queries and not your location or search history. I should also mention that their primary source of revenue is donations, so you are certain that they won’t sell your information.
Conclusion
Let’s face it.
Data security and privacy are very critical for any organization or individual.
To maintain your privacy, you should opt to use incognito modes in Chrome or Firefox, but these don’t offer complete privacy as you may think which is why you should use a private search engine instead.
Now, I think this article on the 10 best search engines for private internet browsing, is a good eye-opener if you are not familiar with these personal search options.
And after trying all the search engines myself, I found DuckDuckGo to be a great alternative to Google if you value high-quality search results. Recently, it has also gained popularity among internet enthusiasts according to a statistic by DuckDuckGo which stated that the app gets over 5 million downloads monthly.
So if you want a privacy-friendly search engine that delivers a user experience that’s close to what you’ll get from Google, then DuckDuckGo is the way to go.
