This DuckDuckGo Vs Google comparison exposes the difference between both search engines. There are features that DuckDuckGo has or even lacks that make several users prefer it to Google.
For example, DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused Google. It doesn’t track or store users’ browser history. However, Google is still the biggest search engine in terms of market share, holding 91.6% of the market.
It takes a lot of hard work, consistency, and huge infrastructural investment to become a search engine like what Google has transformed into.
Here, we’ll compare DuckDuckGo and Google. After reading, you should be well-informed about both search engines.
Now, let’s dive in.
DuckDuckGo Search Engine
DuckDuckGo is a relatively new search engine. However, being new isn’t a deciding factor regarding how well a search engine performs. A search engine’s age and popularity can influence its commercial value but not its performance.
DuckDuckGo was founded in 2008 and has built a solid reputation for itself since its creation. Gabriel Weinberg founded the search engine. He’s a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of success.
Is DuckDuckGo an alternative to Google? Despite being much younger, DuckDuckGo has proven itself to be a strong competitor to Google and other leading search engines (Baidu, and Yahoo).
In terms of market share, DuckDuckGo isn’t yet at the level of Google. Google has a whopping 91.6% market share, making it the world’s biggest search engine.
DuckDuckGo ranks third in mobile search queries in the United States of America. Do you know why? It’s their privacy policy. This search engine safeguards users’ data, something most search engines cannot offer.
Google Search Engine
Google is no stranger to anyone who surfs the internet. Even if you don’t like using the search engine, you know it exists.
Google is still the world’s leading search engine. It might not be the number one search engine in most countries, but it is the most popular in the United States of America, Africa, and across the globe.
Google has a search algorithm and crawlers that make it so efficient. They can quickly crawl and index relevant web pages.
Being the biggest search engine doesn’t mean Google is most people’s preferred search engine. There are things the search engine does that many don’t fancy.
For instance, Google has trackers that track users’ search data. The purpose is to deliver targeted advertisements.
Many aren’t comfortable with such a setup. They aren’t comfortable with Google storing their data.
A Handy Tip: If you’re performing SEO for a client, whether you’re trying to rank a website or online store, consider optimizing for other search engines.
DuckDuckGo Vs. Google Comparison
Now that we have introduced DuckDuckGo and Google search engines let’s discuss what makes the two search engines different. By the end of this post, you should be able to make an informed decision.
1: DuckDuckGo serves fewer adverts:
The bottom line is that both Google and DuckDuckGo serve ads. They are both guilty of this. By the way, they are free. You don’t pay to use Google or DuckDuckGo.
So, how is DuckDuckGo better than Google in terms of the number of ads both search engines serve?
When exploring the DuckDuckGo search engine, you’re going to encounter fewer ads. But that isn’t the case when you’re searching on Google.
The first few search results you’ll see on the Google search engine are ads. Though Google usually differentiates search results that are ads, many users may not like this. You have to scroll past several search results to find web pages that are ranking organically in the search engine results pages.
The smaller number of ads in DuckDuckGo helps users save time. In other words, you won’t have to spend time scrolling through search results or web pages that are paid adverts.
DuckDuckGo also does something that Google doesn’t. It blocks online trackers. With this action, you won’t find adverts following you everywhere you go on the web.
In contrast, when you search for something on Google, for example, “shoes for babies,” you might encounter ads anywhere you go on the web. Many users find this disturbing. That’s why they prefer search engines like DuckDuckGo that don’t allow ads to follow users.
The verdict: The fact that DuckDuckGo serves fewer ads makes it appealing to users who are tired of the increased number of ads on the Google search engine results pages. However, if finding multiple ads in your search results is not an issue, Google is still a wise choice.
2: The loading speed of DuckDuckGo’s search results compared to Google:
Google and DuckDuckGo have impressive loading speeds. But DuckDuckGo is slightly faster. Why? Here is the reason.
Data collection and ads following users around cause websites to incur extra data from online trackers. This causes the website loading speed to reduce slightly.
Unlike Google, DuckDuckGo doesn’t allow trackers. It blocks them. This action helps to free up some bandwidth and make websites load faster.
So, websites on DuckDuckGo load faster because of the action taken by the search engine.
3. DuckDuckGo doesn’t store users’ search history:
Everything you turn on your computer or mobile device and open DuckDuckGo, it’s always a fresh start. In other words, you need to start afresh because the search engine doesn’t store search history.
But there is a challenge with this option. If you visit a page, you won’t find it when you want to revisit it. That’s how DuckDuckGo works.
The closest Google can offer you to DuckDuckGo is its incognito mode. But the truth is, incognito still stores your search history, though it disappears when you close the windows.
With the incognito mode, Google still stores certain data, such as your search activity and location.
The fact that DuckDuckGo doesn’t store search history means you’ll only find ads based on your keyword or search term. For instance, if you’re searching for TVs, then you’ll encounter ads on TV.
4. DuckDuckGo doesn’t filter search results:
Another difference between DuckDuckGo and Google is the filtering of results.
DuckDuckGo doesn’t filter search results. That’s why its results are more robust than what most search engines produce.
For instance, results you’ll find on the second, third, or fourth page of Google might actually appear on DuckDuckGo’s first page.
On the contrary, Google filters your results. It displays things related to your search term. That’s why it collects users’ data in the first place. It uses it to deliver the most relevant results.
DuckDuckGo’s search results aren’t as organized as Google’s. Consequently, most people might think the results from the search engine aren’t precise.
This may be a downside for DuckDuckGo and a win for Google. However, this only goes to show that the DuckDuckGo is functioning the way it was designed to function.
5. Google Vs. DuckDuckGo: Specialized Tools And Features
Another way to compare Google and DuckDuckGo is to consider their features. Let’s start with Google.
Google isn’t only popular for its Chrome browser. It boasts several valuable applications and services. Let’s look at them.
- Personal use applications: Examples of apps in this category include Google Drive, Google Photos, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Keep.
- Specialized searches: If you want to conduct a specialized search, Google is the search engine for you. Here are platforms designed to render the aforementioned services – Google News, Google Scholar, Google Finance, Google Books, and Google Shopping.
- Business and productivity: If you want to manage your business efficiently and improve productivity in the workplace, Google is the search engine for you. Here are important tools you can use. Examples are Google My Business (GMB), Google Workspace, and Google Cloud.
DuckDuckGo also has some impressive features. However, the search engine isn’t as feature-rich as Google. However, it has some advanced features that even those using Google will consider valuable.
Check them out below.
- Bangs: With this feature, you can conduct a quick and easy search on DuckDuckGo. You can even search on other websites. Just prefix your search with an exclamation mark, (!).
- Instant Answer: If you know much about DuckDuckGo, you’ll understand that it doesn’t have the capability or knowledge that graph search engines like Google possesses. Google is ahead of it in this aspect. However, DuckDuckGo does have no-click search engine results. You’ll find this option beneath the result page’s search bar.
- No data collection: DuckDuckGo offers a private browsing experience, something Google doesn’t have. It makes your IP address anonymous and doesn’t collect or store your search history. On the contrary, Google stores your search history and won’t anonymize your IP address.
6. The downside of Google Vs. DuckDuckGo:
Google and DuckDuckGo have downsides or, rather, disadvantages. You’ll notice them when using both search engines.
Let’s start with the downsides of the DuckDuckGo search engine.
First, remember that it doesn’t store users’ search history. For this reason, it doesn’t offer a personalized search experience.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re using the DuckDuckGo browser application or extension. The fact remains that it doesn’t store search history or even remember your IP address.
So, if you don’t like search engines that offer less personalization, DuckDuckGo may not be for someone like you. Additionally, this search engine doesn’t provide targeted ads because it doesn’t store search engines.
In contrast, the Google search engine stores your search history. Thus, wherever you find yourself on the internet, you’ll find targeted ads as long as you’re using Google. In other words, ads will be following around like a house fly tracking someone’s poop. That’s how Google operates.
That’s why DuckDuckGo displays fewer adverts. You’ll only find adverts that are related to your keyword or search term. For example, if you search for television on DuckDuckGo, and the search engine has an ad on television, then it will display it to you.
Crawling ability and index database are two other areas in which DuckDuckGo is lagging. Google is ahead of DuckDuckGo in this aspect.
Now, let’s discuss the downsides of the Google search engine. Many people may be wondering if Google really has downsides, given how advanced it is. Well, the truth is, it does.
The first downside Google has is privacy. So, if you’re concerned about your privacy, the Google search engine might not be for you.
Google relies heavily on users’ search history and data to serve personalized ads. The search engine generates revenue from ads, and it’s good at it.
Google is the master of targeted ads. You’ll find ads following you wherever you go. It also generates the highest revenue from advertisements of any search engine. It generates billions of dollars from ads every single year.
Another downside you’ll notice when you use the Google search engine is the results. It keeps displaying the same results, thanks to the fact that it stores users’ browsing history.
Many won’t like this feature. It limits people’s ability to find new information about specific topics.
Is DuckDuckGo Better Than Google?
It all boils down to personal preference. If you prefer to use a search engine that is privacy-focused, DuckDuckGo is a wise choice. Or, rather, let’s say DuckDuckGo is better than Google in the area of privacy.
On the other hand, Google is feature-rich and offers personalized search results. That’s because it stores your personal data and browser history. But don’t forget, this enables the search engine to serve you targeted ads.
Google is more advanced than DuckDuckGo, and it has a larger market share. It is the world’s biggest and most advanced search engine.
Conclusion
The DuckDuckGo Vs. Google debate is always a tricky one. But keep in mind that both search engines have their highs and lows.
You can decide to use both search engines to make your search more robust and get varied information on a topic.
Google is ahead of DuckDuckGo in many aspects, but the latter has features many users like. The idea of keeping users safe online is a big deal. People know the damage that can happen when their data falls into the wrong hands.
