The Best Private Search Engines for Secure Browsing in 2024

What’s the first thing you do whenever you need information about a specific topic; you search for it online. Today, many users worldwide find solutions to their problems by searching on Google. No doubt, you can get answers to almost everything with a quick search on a search engine.

But, have you ever considered if these search engines keep your search history a secret? Not even using the incognito search engines can provide you with the security and privacy you need.

Google handles, on average, more than 3.5 billion searches daily. This reveals Google’s goldmine of data in its storage as the platform monitors users’ searches. However, this doesn’t mean that Google is the only search engine guilty of violating users’ privacy.

Other platforms like Bing and Yahoo follow guidelines similar to Google regarding monetizing your data. These services use the data collected to help advertising companies disrupt your browsing with ads. So, you risk exposing your information to a third party unless you start using a private search engine.

That leads to the question, which search engines can guarantee my privacy? Read on to discover the top search engines that can help you surf the web privately. You will also find the features of each search engine mentioned in this post.

Quick List – Best Private Search Engines

What is a Private Search Engine?

Before getting into private search engines, you must understand what a search engine means. A search engine is a tool or app on your device that helps you visit websites or browse any topic of interest. Harmless right? However, some search engines collect and use your sensitive data for commercial activities, such as your medical condition, financial information, and employment status.

You are probably wondering how these platforms can get hold of this information. Since you use a search engine to visit many websites, including a medical or e-commerce site, they can collect this data from your online activities.

To ensure your data privacy, you must discover a way to block these data gatherers. That’s where a private search engine comes in!

A private search engine is a no-tracking platform that won’t store your data or monitor your online activities. This tool does not collect your browsing information, meaning you can rest assured of your privacy when browsing the internet. They use various features and methods to help ensure that your searches remain a secret.

How Do Search Engines Work?

As stated earlier, search engines are software that you use to gain access to the internet’s library. They allow you to conduct a web search, which returns results that match your search query. It obtains these results from a database of indexed websites created by different providers.

In simple terms, you input the words you need information on, and the search engine uses the keywords to bring out web pages containing that information.

Incognito Mode vs. Private Search Engine

Many internet users think the incognito mode on their search browser is their best bet to keep their data safe and private. Sadly, the only thing this mode does is not to record your search history on the browser. That means whatever site you visit won’t show on your browser’s history.

This is especially useful if you are browsing with a shared device and prefer to avoid other users discovering what you searched online. As good as the incognito mode is, it won’t provide total privacy. The mode does not stop search engines and sites from tracking and stealing your data.

In contrast, a private search engine provides total privacy for its users by being completely anonymous. Instead of asking for a subscription or helping advertisers, these engines have their way of making money without exposing your data.

Types of Secure Search Engines

Although a private search engine is mainly a type of search engine, it can still be divided into two major types.

1. Anonymous Search Engine

This type of search engine promises you complete anonymity when using it. It doesn’t rely on or collect users’ data for any reason, but they may contain adverts. Even though these search engines don’t use your data, clicking on these ads can jeopardize your privacy. These risks are because these search engines are free of charge.

2. Paid Private Search Engine

While some search engines profit from advertisements and monetizing their users’ data, some still make money by creating subscription plans. Once you subscribe to the platform, you are guaranteed the utmost protection and privacy when browsing. However, you may need to submit basic information about yourself before accessing the service.

Why Should You Use a Private Search Engine?

Undoubtedly, search engines like Google and Bing are popular tools internet users utilize daily. Whether mobile or desktop users, netizens rely on the platform to perform almost all their online activities. Sadly, as popular as the platform is, it has disadvantages when respecting its users’ privacy.

An excellent private search engine doesn’t record your data, including your IP address, search history, browser fingerprints, unique cookie identifiers, and location information.

Still not convinced? Here are more reasons why you should stop using these public search engines:

Filter Bubble

Many search engines combine your search history with personalized algorithms to give results that align with your interests. This leaves you in what we call a filter bubble, preventing you from getting different information, perspectives, and ideas from other sources.

Location Tracking

The major browsers available use your IP to get your location. According to their claims, they do this so that you can get localized search results and ads. Unfortunately, they also share this data with advertisers who will inject targeted ads into your browser.

User Profile Building

Search engines can create your user profile using your online activities, engagements, and search history. They then use the data collected to monitor your browsing habits, patterns, and search preferences. While these may be useful in getting ads tailored to your preferences, cybercriminals can get this information and use it to send tailored phishing campaigns to you.

Factors to Consider in a Privacy-focused Search Engine

Now that we’ve covered why you need a secure web search engine, you must know how to select a trustworthy one. It would help to look for some essential features before choosing a search engine that values privacy. Here are some criteria the web engine must follow:

1. It has an easy-to-use interface.
2. It provides custom settings for a personalized browsing experience.
3. It respects your privacy by not tracking your data.
4. It doesn’t use cookie trackers.
5. It delivers accurate search results.
6. A trusted and reliable firm or team runs it.

Detailed List – Best Private Search Engines to Use Today

There are numerous private search sites available today that you can use. Yet, finding the one that suits your privacy needs may be challenging.

Not only should the tool be able to maintain your privacy, but it should also be able to offer you appropriate search results. Below are the 20 most secure private search engines you can trust for any online information lookup.

1. DuckDuckGo

This is the most popular privacy search engine, boasting over 100 million internet users. It has a simple platform and does not monitor or store any of your information, not even your virtual address. The platform allows you to browse privately with its built-in track blocker. It also offers ad and cookie blockers and lets you see who is tracking you.

DuckDuckGo is an impressive search engine that collates results from 400+ sources, which include Wikipedia, Yahoo, Yandex, and Bing. It offers a detailed and transparent privacy policy, so you can fully understand what you stand to gain from using this site.

However, the site has opened up about how it saves users’ search terms. But, as it does not log your IP, the data collected can not be traced back to you, so you have nothing to worry about. However, the site is stationed in the U.S. and runs using Amazon servers. The fact that the US lacks adequate online privacy laws can be this site’s drawback.

2. Yippy

Yippy offers a simple interface with filtering options to manually filter results and mark anyone as inappropriate. It allows you to browse diverse content such as news, jobs, government data, images, blogs, and more.

The site does not log your searches nor interrupt your browsing with custom ads. However, just like Google, it allows you to view cached pages.

3. Swisscows

Swisscows is another anonymous search engine that uses state-of-the-art technology to protect its users’ data. Based in Switzerland, this engine has no interest in your personal information, so you will not find any of your browsing history. Also, it won’t log your data and allows you to surf the web anonymously.

Alongside all its privacy perks, Swisscows is very family-friendly. For instance, kids can browse for whatever they want safely and privately, as it won’t showcase any sexual or pornographic search results.

Furthermore, the platform uses intelligent cloud storage, including a large data pool that provides quick responses for whatever you search for. Plus, its servers are kept in a secure data center in Switzerland, so you don’t have to worry about anything when using this search engine.

4. Pipl

Pipl is the number one search engine that you can use to find and verify the identity of any person of interest. You can use the platform to differentiate between real identities and fake personas. The platform is highly recommended for e-commerce vendors and customers so that they can verify if a purchase or store can be trusted.

The search engine doesn’t store your search history and can fetch results from multiple online sources. Its user-friendly layout makes it easy to search privately and navigate through sites. Also, you use the platform to deep-search yourself.

5. Gigablast

This search engine offers multiple options for customizing and sorting your search questions, which include language, file type, and exact keywords. It also includes an advanced search function in its interface besides the typical news, images, and videos.

Gigablast is one search browser you can trust for never storing your data, as it doesn’t need it. It even goes as far as deleting your search logs to reduce the chance of spammers and marketers tracking you.

6. Oscobo

Oscobo is an amazing option if you don’t want to worry about your personal information getting into the wrong hands while browsing.

However, the service does not use any third-party tool or script, meaning it can effectively protect your data from hackers or misuse.

7. Brave

Brave is a fantastic search engine that mainly safeguards users’ privacy. Even though it generates its search results from other browsers, you will get a quick search response as it only shows a few results.

One feature that makes this search engine stand out is that it provides users with its native VPN and includes other privacy-protecting features in its source code.

The search engine also doubles as an ad and cookie-blocker, ensuring a relaxing browsing experience. Other privacy features include phishing and malware protection, incognito windows, bounce tracking protection, and cross-site tracker blocking.

8. Mojeek

Mojeek is an independent crawler-based engine that doesn’t depend on other external search engines. Instead, it produces search results by creating a proprietary index and crawling the web. It also has a strict no-tracking policy, so you can rest assured that it won’t track or place cookies or ads on your device.

Furthermore, Mojeek won’t record or monitor your IP address but replaces the address with two digits that represent your country.

9. SearX

You can trust this open-source search engine to keep you private online. It won’t disclose your search history or IP address to any third party, even though it fetches its search results from other search engines. Also, this platform doesn’t create user profiles and blocks all tracking cookies.

SearX links your search results directly to the respective site that contains it instead of using redirect links. It may also go as far as combining the direct links with proxy or cached links. This allows you to view your search results without visiting the page.

10. Ecosia

Ecosia is another search engine that encrypts your online searches and maintains your privacy differently. For instance, it doesn’t create user profiles, log data, or monetize personal information.

This web engine focuses more on environmental conservation, proving this by donating 80% of its total profit towards this course. As for how it generates profits, it does this by showing non-intrusive ads.

11. Search Encrypt

Search Encrypt is another privacy-focused search engine that lets you keep your browsing history a secret. It protects your activities using the AES-256 encryption alongside an SSL (Secure Socket Layout) certificate, ensuring no one can track you. It has an automatic feature that erases all your search history if you become inactive for over 30 minutes.

Furthermore, the search browser does not store or retain any data that can compromise privacy. It even blocks your ISP from gaining access and stops any site from tracking your online activity. This search engine allows you to browse for news, videos, and images anonymously.

12. YaCy

YaCy is a search engine software that insists you download its open-source software before you can even start using its search network. The software is available for your Windows, macOS, or Linux PC. You can refer to this search engine as a peer-to-peer project since it has software and doesn’t rely on central servers like Google.

This platform gets support from SUMA eV, an organization that advocates for free access to knowledge, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

13. Qwant

Designed with a similar interface to Google, Qwant is a user-friendly, safe search engine that you can use to ensure your data protection. This France-based platform doesn’t track users, collect personal details, or use cookies. The search engine spends its profit on tree planting or charity.

It offers different tabs like Qwant Boards and Qwant Music, where you can share media files with other users. Qwant also boasts a kids’ mode that displays only protected sites and promotes educational pages.

14. Kagi

Kagi is a user-friendly search engine you can use instead of Google that gives a safe and prompt search result. Once you enter a search query, it will show you a preview of all the relevant pages related to it. This lets you know if the information available on each page interests you. If you click on a result, the preview enlarges, allowing you to check out the site.

It boasts a simple interface that allows only a few sites to know its users’ identity, mainly the ones the user trusts. The free version only limits you to 100 searches per month. But if you upgrade to its premium package for $10/month, you can enjoy unlimited searches and more advanced features.

15. MetaGer

MetaGer lets you secretly perform all your online activities without leaving any traceable digital footprint. Its features include a proxy server, meaning you can anonymously browse the net and mask your IP address.

You won’t have to worry about intrusive and annoying ads as this search engine doesn’t monitor your search queries. The platform is run by a non-profit organization that does not care about commercial interests, so you can be sure it won’t monetize your data.

16. Lukol

This private search engine offers customized search results, which it gets from the tech giant Google. It has a proxy server that ensures your online privacy by removing any traceable data from your device. The service also protects you from landing on inappropriate websites caused by misleading ads.

17. WolframAlpha

WolframAlpha is another secure search engine designed to answer questions about literature, science, geography, and engineering. You can liken it to an encyclopedia due to its depth of information on these subjects. It is the recommended search engine for any knowledge seeker.

The knowledge-packed search engine gets its results using integrated algorithms to perform dynamic calculations. It does not monitor or log your search history, enabling you to keep your browsing private.

18. Disconnect Search

From its slogan, Stop search engines from tracking your searches, you can tell that this service cares about its users’ privacy. It uses content search assistants from top platforms like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Fortunately, it does not store your browsing activities or IP address.

19. Gibiru

By using this search engine, you get to enjoy data encryption and prevent your information from getting into the hands of any third party.

It operates faster than some encrypted search engines. This is because it utilizes Google Custom Search to give its users a high-quality service while eliminating the trackers that Google uses. Gibiru boasts a fast and reliable platform that allows you to find whatever you want without stress.

20. StartPage

Startpage is another search browser that calls itself the world’s most private search engine. It supports this claim by not registering, tracking, or sharing your data with outsiders. This service allows you to browse for content using a proxy server, which protects you from any website that wants to track your location.

It also has an Anonymous View feature that allows you to become invisible online and explore different websites without leaving any trace.

Are Secure Search Engines Really Private?

The level of privacy a search engine can offer you depends on the service’s business model. A private search engine uses a business model that prevents them from tracking or monitoring user data. Considering they don’t collect your information, you will get impartial and accurate search results without them being compromised by any marketing strategy. With this, you can say private search engines are indeed private.

How Do Private Search Browsers Generate Revenue?

Private web search browsers that provide the best privacy service make money using different methods. For instance, a private search engine like Searx relies on donations for its funds.

Another way they generate revenue is through contextual advertising, where adverts are displayed based on your search phrase. For instance, visiting a movie review blog may get ads about subscriptions to a streaming platform or discounted movie tickets. A few others use affiliate programs to generate income based on the sales made through the links.

The Best VPN that Guarantees Online Privacy

Even if you are using a web browser that operates at a high speed, it doesn’t prevent the websites you visit from misusing your data. All the private search browsers clearly state in their terms and conditions that they can’t protect your data once you visit a third-party website.

Most of the websites available today track their visitors’ activities using cookies. Some designed with sophisticated technology can go as far as recording your IP address. Fortunately, these sites have a privacy policy page that provides information on their data collection.

Apart from the sites you visit, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) monitors your online activities and can sell them to advertisers. Moreover, government agencies, hackers, and scammers roam the internet and are ever ready to threaten your digital space. Considering all these risks, a VPN is the best tool to convert your internet to a safe haven.

Designed with industry-leading AES-256 encryption, a reliable VPN like ExtremeVPN creates an unpoppable bubble around your device anytime you visit a website. It encrypts all your online traffic, ensuring your data becomes unreadable to any third party that intercepts it.

You will also get additional security features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS/IPv6 leak protection that will help to safeguard your online data effectively. That’s why even when using a private search engine, you should invest in a VPN to completely solve all your privacy concerns.

How Can I Delete My Google Browsing History?

If you are looking for a way to delete records of the pages you visited on Google, you are in the right place! Here, you will find ways that you can clear your search history. However, note that deleting this history will affect all devices connected to your Google account and have the sync feature on.

Clear Your Browsing Data

You can do these by following the instructions below:

1. Open the Chrome app on your device.
2. Click on the three vertical dots on the upper-right corner of your screen.
3. Select History (You may get a drop-down menu containing your browsing history. Click on History, which will be on top of the list).
4. On the new window that opens, you will see Clear browsing data on the left panel.
5. Tap on the box beside Browsing History and select the time range of the history you wish to delete.
6. Click on Clear data.

Go on Incognito Mode

If you don’t want to save any record of your searches on Google from the beginning, your best bet is to use the incognito mode available on the platform. Regardless of your device, you can open this mode in these simple steps:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click on the three vertical dots on the upper-right corner of your screen.
3. Select the New Incognito window or the New Incognito tab.
4. A new tab will open, clearly showing You’ve gone Incognito.

How Can I Change My Default Search Engine on My Browser?

If you are not satisfied with the search engine available on your browser, there’s a way for you to change it. One reason for doing so can be because you want to change your engine to a privacy-focused one. You can change the search engine on any web browser platform like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or other web browser you are using.

Here’s how you can change your default search engine on Chrome:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Select the More icon — the three dots on your screen’s upper right corner.
3. Select Help, then About Google Chrome to locate its settings page.
4. Click on Search Engine from the left panel.
5. Tap the drop-down arrow beside the Search engine in the address bar tab.
6. Select a new default search engine from the list available.

If you are using Mozilla Firefox, here’s how you can change the search engine:

1. Open the Firefox app.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines at the top right corner of your screen.
3. Select Options.
4. Click Search.
5. Click on the down arrow under the Default Search Engine option.
6. Select a new default search engine from the list available.

If you tried changing your search engine and it didn’t work, you may have malware on your device.

What if I Prefer Using Google to Other Private Search Engines?

Despite its privacy concern, if you insist on using Google as your search engine, you should at least get a reliable VPN. Ideally, it’s best to consider using a premium VPN service like ExtremeVPN. This VPN service maintains a strict no-logging policy that ensures that your digital footprint remains a secret to only you. It will help prevent your online data from getting into the hands of a third party, including your government and ISP.

Tips to Help You Browse Privately

While using a private search engine is an excellent first step to controlling our privacy, there are other tips you can take. Besides, it’s not like we only spend our online time on search engines; we also use platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Amazon, and Twitter, to mention a few. Sadly, these platforms are also guilty of monitoring their users’ data.

Fortunately, there are a few ways for you to strengthen your online privacy. They include:

• Avoid using popular platforms: Whenever you hear about a privacy scandal, chances are Facebook or Google are the culprit. These two platforms are known to collect and monetize their users’ data. Even Dropbox, Amazon, and Twitter openly admit that they sell the data they gather to advertisers.
• Use a VPN: You don’t have to search the internet to find a reliable VPN that covers all your privacy needs. ExtremeVPN is a budget-friendly service that takes extreme measures to ensure that users’ online data is not at risk. It protects your online connection and offers fast speed, unlimited bandwidth, and numerous server locations, meaning you can have unlimited access to the internet.
• Get anti-tracking apps and add-ons: Most browsers, like Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Chrome, have a do not track function that informs websites not to monitor your activities. However, taking extra precautions by getting an add-on is not a bad idea. Browser ad-ons like Ghostry can help you find and block any tracker before they can escape.

Conclusion

Finding a search engine that perfectly aligns with all your internet needs and values your privacy can be challenging. Plus, just because one search engine works for one doesn’t mean it’s your best option. That’s why we tested and collated 20 of the best private search engines for you.

Remember that even when using an incredible private search engine, your internet activities do not become invisible. This is because these engines only hide your data while browsing. They can’t shield you from location trackers or protect your online traffic.

To get the fool-proof privacy you need, you will need to get a VPN. ExtremeVPN protects all your devices against any risk, even when using private search engines. Also, try to update your device’s operating system regularly and install an antivirus.

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