Google is one of the most widely known search engines, but it is not the only one. There are many other search engines on the internet, such as Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, etc. Do you know DuckDuckGo is the second most used search engine? It has around 2.51% users in the United States, and around 8 million users were noted in 2022. DuckDuckGo has gained much popularity because of its privacy-free search facilities.
The Basics of Search Engine
Before understanding the importance of DuckDuckGo, let’s first understand what is search engine. Search engines in simple terms, are computer programs. These programs process user’s input, identify it, and gather relevant data associated with it on the internet. When the users enter a Keyword/ keyphrase, the search engines find relevant data by sending out crawlers to search for relevant web pages.
The crawlers on the internet hunt for HTML files or web pages, browsing through all the indexed pages. After this, you get a list of web pages or URLs after placing a search query. These algorithms are common to most of the search engines and the process of input and output is similar.
How DuckDuckGo Works?
DuckDuckGo works by keeping your searches private. When you use its browser extension or mobile app, it doesn’t track what you search for. Unlike other browsers, like Chrome, that have private windows but still track your main search history, DuckDuckGo stays private by default. It also connects you to encrypted versions of websites whenever possible. This makes it harder for anyone to see your online activity. Other search engines might give you both encrypted and unencrypted options, but the browser automatically uses the privacy-friendly version without extra steps.
How Is DuckDuckGo Different From Google Search?
DuckDuckGo differs from Google Search in that it doesn’t track your browsing history or personal data. Google collects a lot of information about you, including your location and search activity, even when you use incognito mode. The incognito mode only clears your browsing history and cookies after you close your tabs. It doesn’t prevent Google or other entities from tracking you online. This browser, on the other hand, blocks trackers and doesn’t store your browsing data at all. It shows ads based on the search keywords you use, not on your personal data. Browser also offers a paid subscription, Privacy Pro, which includes a VPN and other privacy tools.
How Can I Use DuckDuckGo
Using a browser is very easy. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Open DuckDuckGo in Your Browser:
- Visit [DuckDuckGo.com](https://www.duckduckgo.com) in any browser.
2. Set as Your Default Search Engine in Chrome:
- Click the three dots in the top right corner of your Chrome browser.
- Select ‘Settings’ from the dropdown menu.
- Click on ‘Search engine’ in the sidebar.
- From the dropdown menu labeled “Search engine used in the address bar,” choose ‘DuckDuckGo.’
3. Add as a Chrome Extension:
- Go to [DuckDuckGo.com](https://www.duckduckgo.com) in Chrome.
- Click the three lines menu (hamburger icon).
- Select “Add to Chrome” from the dropdown.
- A Chrome Web Store pop-up will appear. Click “Add to Chrome” again.
- Confirm the action by clicking “Add Extension” in the window that appears.
- If you don’t see the extension, click the “Extensions” icon on Chrome and pin it to your toolbar.
The Bottom Line:
DuckDuckGo is a good search engine if you prefer privacy. Like other search engines, it does not give customized results. This is because it does not track your activity IP address or any other sensitive data.
Read More: Windows 10 vs Windows 11: Benefits, Differences, and Upgrades