If you prefer to stay as anonymous as possible when browsing the internet, chances are you’ve heard of the search engine DuckDuckGo.
For many, it’s been a matter of time before a more private version of a search engine became available.
Several users have expressed concern about how major search engines, such as Google, use personal data to display targeted ads across their display networks.
DuckDuckGo, in contrast, promises a safer and more private approach to web searching.
But what exactly is DuckDuckGo, and how does it work?
Let’s take a closer look!
What can DuckDuckGo offer?
DuckDuckGo was launched in 2008 in the United States and has positioned itself as a search engine that does not track your activity online.
This is made possible by a range of encryption techniques that prevent your data from being stored or used for advertising purposes.
As a result, you won’t be shown ads based on what you’ve recently searched for when using DuckDuckGo.
Since its launch, the search engine has gained increasing interest from users seeking more online security and privacy.
Does DuckDuckGo collect user data?
It’s nearly impossible to build a search engine that doesn’t use any kind of user data.
While DuckDuckGo does not collect data for advertising purposes, nor does it use cookies or third-party trackers, some data is still required to improve its search engine functionality.
Anonymous search data is used to enhance the relevance and accuracy of search results for users.
DuckDuckGo is available for most major web browsers and can be downloaded directly from its official website.
How does it differ from Google’s search engine?
There’s no denying that Google is the dominant search engine, offering a more complete experience with a wide range of useful features.
Integrations like Maps, Docs, and Gmail are not something DuckDuckGo can offer, and the amount of data available to improve search results is significantly smaller compared to Google.
This means DuckDuckGo requires more specific queries in order to return highly relevant search results.
Many users have come to accept that Google uses personal data to enhance the search experience.
That doesn’t mean there’s no demand for anonymous search options. In fact, more and more users are starting to use different search engines for different purposes.
The future of DuckDuckGo?
With the implementation of an AI language model, DuckDuckGo is securing its spot in users’ browsers for the future.
The AI feature is called DuckAssist, and it can currently be used for simpler questions. The AI draws from sources like Wikipedia and Britannica.
The technology behind DuckAssist comes from OpenAI — the same company behind ChatGPT and the provider of the language model used in Bing Chat.
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