If you want to know more about the advantages and disadvantages of DuckDuckGo to make an informed decision, you’re in the right place! There has been a lot of noise over DuckDuckGo since its inception. Many even compare it to Google.
DuckDuckGo is arguably one of the most popular conservative search engines. It claims not to track users, store search history and IP addresses, and delivers a great private browsing experience. It’s the direct opposite of Google in the aspect of privacy.
We have uncovered a plethora of advantages and disadvantages that DuckDuckGo has. First, let’s share some insights about the search engine’s disadvantages.
What Are The Disadvantages of DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo boasts several disadvantages. Since it doesn’t store users’ data, and store browsing history, it doesn’t serve personalized ads .
Furthermore, local listings can be challenging to find on this search engine. Another disadvantage is that it only offers a “search engine.” It doesn’t offer extra features like Google Books, Google Play Store, Google Music, and others.
What Is DuckDuckGo?
People desire privacy when surfing the internet, but several search engines don’t care. Google search engine tracks users. It also stores users’ data, enabling it to serve users targeted ads and personalized search results.
DuckDuckGo is Google’s direct opposite in the aspect of user privacy. It’s a privacy-focused search engine, using an effective anti-tracking policy to discourage websites from storing users’ data.
Gabriel Weinberg is the founder of DuckDuckGo. The American was born on January 1, 1979, and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 2003 to 2005.
You might wonder why Weinberg decided to name the company DuckDuckGo or where he got the idea for such a name. According to the company, DuckDuckGo is a reference to the popular children’s game Duck, Duck, goose.
DuckDuckGo doesn’t store information about users’ searches. Additionally, it doesn’t allow websites to collect information about them. The reverse is the case with Google.
So, when you hear people talk about DuckDuckGo and other conservative search engines being unbiased, that’s because of their effective privacy policy. DuckDuckGo doesn’t store information about users’ searches, a reason you won’t get biased search results from the search engine.
Google doesn’t operate in this manner. A study showed Google search results might have an element of political bias. The study pointed out that Google search results could be influencing people’s political views by displaying content they want them to see.
In a country where citizens are obliged to make sound political decisions and usher in the right person into office, Googles’ political bias is a huge distraction.
How Many Active Users Are On DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo was established in 2008 and recorded over 80 million users in 2023. Its founder, Weinberg, has single-handedly grown the search engine from a self-funded operation out of his small, dusty basement to a company worth millions of dollars.
Privacy advocates love DuckDuckGo owing to how the search engine operates. They regard the search engine as one of the safest for surfing the internet.
Where Can I Find DuckDuckGo?
You can find the search engine at DuckDuckGo.com. Use the company’s browser extension and mobile application. Both are safe, as they promote encryption-browsing, prevent tracking, and keep your private data well-protected.
You can get DuckDuckGo’s mobile application on Android and iOS devices. The platform also offers multiple extensions you can access via diverse browsers.
Features of DuckDuckGo Mobile Application
People interested in protecting their privacy while surfing the internet adore DuckDuckGo. The privacy-centered search engine also has mobile applications (Android and iOS) that boast diverse features that offer more protection.
Here are the top features of this application.
- Automatic tracker-blocking feature
- A-F Privacy Grades for sites
- One-tap solution for closing tabs and wiping off browsing data
- Forced HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
How To Use The DuckDuckGo Search Engine
Here’s how to use DuckDuckGo to search for products, information, and more.
1: Make DuckDuckGo your default search engine:
The first step is to make DuckDuckGo your default search engine. Whenever you want to surf the web, you’ll automatically use DuckDuckGo when you make it your default browser.
Here’s how to do it. Open your browser preferences/settings. There, you’ll have the option to choose your default search engine.
2: Get the browser extension:
The next step is to obtain the browser extension from where you’ll be surfing the internet. You can download this extension from Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.
3: Get the application:
Installing the DuckDuckGo application on your mobile phone makes surfing the web hassle-free.
So, visit the Play Store for Android and iOS devices to download and install DuckDuckGo on your mobile device.
Why You Should Install DuckDuckGo’s App And Browser Extension
DuckDuckGo app on a mobile device or browser extension makes web surfing hassle-free. Besides that, another benefit the app or browser extension offers is extra privacy features.
The browser extension and app’s extra privacy tool ensure you enjoy maximum protection when visiting third-party websites.
A Handy Tip: DuckDuckGo doesn’t track or store users’ information. It also discourages other websites from storing users’ information or tracking it. However, using a VPN when visiting third-party websites offers you more protection.
What Makes DuckDuckGo Safe To Use?
You might be asking yourself, is DuckDuckGo safe as claimed? If yes, why aren’t they as popular as Google?
We’re not going to delve into Google vs. DuckDuckGo comparison. But one thing is sure: DuckDuckGo is safe.
DuckDuckGo won’t track you. It also won’t store your data, information, and browser history. And because it doesn’t store your data, it won’t share anything about you with advertisers.
Google tracks and stores your data and search history. That’s why it can show you targeted ads.
Is DuckDuckGo More Privacy-Focused Than Google?
Yes, DuckDuckGo takes the privacy of users more seriously. Here are some of the search engine qualities that set it apart.
1: Track Blocking:
In addition to ensuring you surf the web anonymously, DuckDuckGo prevents third-party trackers from accessing your data.
2: HTTPS Everywhere:
HTTPS Everywhere is an open-source best practice security measure ensuring every page is secured. It protects you from online threats.
DuckDuckGo uses this security measure to force websites to utilize encrypted connections wherever possible. Encrypting the connection means any hacker spying on you won’t have access to your data.
3: Doesn’t track users and warns sites not to do the same:
DuckDuckGo is popular today because of the way it takes privacy issues seriously. The search engine even warns websites to desist from tracking, storing, or selling user data via a feature called Global Privacy Control (GPC).
Google Chrome has a do-not-track feature. Unfortunately, they don’t make it compulsory for websites to abide by.
But the reverse is the case with DuckDuckGo. It doesn’t treat the do not track (DNT) as a mandatory feature. It is compulsory, and websites that fail to abide by it could face a legal battle.
4: DuckDuckGo encourages private search:
If you’re seeking a search engine that doesn’t collect user agent data, IP address, or cookies, DuckDuckGo is the answer.
Google, Yahoo, and Bing don’t offer these features. They track IP addresses, browser search history, and cookies, enabling them to deliver targeted ads.
5: Search History:
DuckDuckGo doesn’t store users’ search history. That’s why it can show you personalized search results like Google.
Google can personalize your browser experience and show search results based on your search history.
Another thing other search engines do that DuckDuckGo doesn’t is leaking users’ search terms to websites. Google and other search engines keep records of the keywords or search terms people use, including how many times it has been used.
6: Ad Blocking:
The mobile application and browser extension offer extra privacy features that keep you well-protected. They provide a blocking feature that blocks pop-ups and banner adverts.
7: Protects you from cyber attacks:
How does DuckDuckGo protect you from cyber-attacks? It blocks your web browser from accessing malicious websites using its Content Security Policy (CSP).
10: Privacy Grade:
Privacy Grade (PG) is an essential DuckDuckGo mobile application and browser extension feature. It tells you the websites attempting to track you, including when and to what extent the tracking has been done.
That isn’t all. The Privacy Grade also lets you know how DuckDuckGo protects you from being tracked and enhances your security to prevent future occurrences of such an activity.
The freedom DuckDuckGo offers users on privacy is second to none. You can change your region and theme, turn on SafeSearch, enable privacy control, and more.
The primary focus of this search engine is to promote anonymous browsing. It lets you surf the web without anyone tracking you.
Does DuckDuckGo Protect Users from Viruses?
If DuckDuckGo or any search engine protects people from viruses, malware, and other dangers, anti-virus companies would have been out of business.
DuckDuckGo is like other search engines. It is even more concerned about your privacy and offers features that enhances your browsing experience. However, you can still play into the hands of hackers or suffer malware, viruses, and spyware attacks while using the search engine.
It is easy to avoid viruses, malware, spyware, and other online dangers while using DuckDuckGo. Just be extra cautious and use your initiative. Mind the websites you visit and the links you click on.
Reasons To Use DuckDuckGo – The Advantages
There are a plethora of reasons to consider ditching other search engines. Here are a few reasons to consider.
1: User privacy is a top priority for DuckDuckGo. They don’t take it for granted, like Google, Yahoo, and others.
2: This search engine won’t serve personalized ads that disrupt the browsing experience.
3: Prevents search leakage and keeps your information secured.
4: Displays valuable features and data, such as weather reports, loan calculators, etc.
5: Serves unbiased search results, unlike Google and other search engines.
Reasons You Shouldn’t Use DuckDuckGo – The Disadvantages
Here are the disadvantages of this search engine. These are possible drawbacks and reasons most people may decide against using it.
1: There’s a possibility for users to be served fewer relevant results since DuckDuckGo lacks personalization.
2: Besides being privacy-focused, there isn’t much about DuckDuckGo that sets it above the likes of Google.
3: DuckDuckGo isn’t as convenient as Google’s search engine.
4: DuckDuckGo is owned by a citizen of the United States and based in the United States. This means it’s obliged to obey the laws of the law. Thus, it might be charged by law to turn users’ data over to law enforcement agencies.
A Handy Tip: Google tracks and stores users’ data, meaning it will share users’ data with law enforcement when required.
DuckDuckGo doesn’t store users’ data. So, even if the law obliges it to send data, it won’t honor that request as there’s no data to send.
DuckDuckGo FAQ
1: Is VPN necessary for DuckDuckGo users?
A VPN app is essential for users who prioritize their online security and privacy. Using a VPN will give you that extra security to surf the web safely.
2: Should you use DuckDuckGo or Google?
The answer to this question lies in your priority. What do you prioritize, privacy or convenience? The Google search engine is convenient and personalizes your search results. Unfortunately, it is not a privacy-focused search engine.
DuckDuckGo prioritizes users’ privacy, but it is not as convenient as Google. Additionally, Google also offers a plethora of features DuckDuckGo doesn’t have.
3: Can you use voice search on DuckDuckGo?
Yes, it does support voice search, but it’s not as reliable or feature-rich as Google.
4: How does DuckDuckGo generate revenue?
This privacy-focused search engine generates revenue from adverts but does it differently from the Google search engine.
Here is what DuckDuckGo does. It serves you ads based on your keyword or search term. For instance, if you’re searching for information on dog foods, it will serve you related ads.
Another thing that separates this search engine is that it doesn’t store users’ search history or serve intrusive ads.
Conclusion
We have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of DuckDuckGo. Being privacy-focused sets it apart from Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
DuckDuckGo is one of the best conservative search engines. It doesn’t store users’ data or track or record one’s search history. It even prevents third-party websites from tracking users.
Your privacy is non-negotiable when surfing the web via DuckDuckGo. However, remember that DuckDuckGo’s users are still subject to viruses, malware, spyware, and other online threats.
You have to be careful when surfing the internet. Don’t click on links or download files you don’t trust.
