Your Google searches are a lot like the secrets in your teenage diary — they’re not exactly private.
Fortunately, DuckDuckGo is an alternative search engine that prioritizes your privacy. It doesn’t monitor browsing history or collect personal information and blocks many well-known internet trackers.
So, is DuckDuckGo safe? The short answer is yes, but read on to find out why it alone can’t guarantee total online privacy.
Table of contents
What is DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo is an internet privacy company founded in 2008 when they launched their secure search engine.
DuckDuckGo’s main selling point is its search privacy. Though it’s a free service, your information isn’t stored every time you search for something. Your searches aren’t exposed to third parties, and DuckDuckGo doesn’t create any user profiles. As a result, there are fewer ads as well.
All of this makes DuckDuckGo one of the safest search engines out there, so it’s easy to see why the platform’s popularity has surged in recent years. DuckDuckGo currently processes about 100 million daily searches.
In addition to the search engine, DuckDuckGo offers web extensions, a mobile app, and its own private browser.
Can you be tracked on DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo doesn’t track you in the ways other search engines like Google do, but it still doesn’t ensure 100% privacy.
Why DuckDuckGo can’t track you
DuckDuckGo’s privacy measures prevent tracking in the following ways:
- No user profiles: without these profiles, DuckDuckGo can’t store your search history or personal information;
- Data encryption: everything you type into DuckDuckGo is protected by HTTPS encryption, so third parties can’t intercept any of your search data;
- Search leakage prevention: search leakage happens when your chosen search terms are shared with a site you visit. DuckDuckGo doesn’t send out this information, so other sites can’t see what you were looking for.
Ways that DuckDuckGo can track you
Despite DuckDuckGo’s privacy controls, its protections are still limited due to:
- Tracking via links: when you click on a link in your search results, your destination website can see the referring URL. In other words, while specific search terms aren’t included, sites can tell that you came from DuckDuckGo;
- Local data storage: DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your searches, but your devices still store user data locally. If anyone gains access to your computer, tablet, or phone, there’s a chance they’ll find your browsing history;
- Voluntary data sharing: any personal information you voluntarily give to DuckDuckGo, like feedback, can be tracked without violating their privacy policy.
10 pros and cons of DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo generally succeeds at keeping you private, but the search engine has some downsides worth noting.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
1. No tracked user data: DuckDuckGo doesn’t even know how many users it has. | 1. Lack of personalization: without user data, DuckDuckGo can’t generate tailored results that may be more relevant to you. |
2. Minimal data collection: the only information stored is for things like search suggestions and spelling corrections. | 2. External data monitoring: third parties can track your locally stored search history and any personal details you willingly share. |
3. Data encryption: HTTPS encryption ensures a secure connection and protects your search data from exposure. | 3. Dependence on Bing: most search results are generated through Bing, which might not fit everyone’s search preferences. |
4. No search leakage: the sites you visit can’t see what you searched for, so you get more privacy online. | 4. Slower results: privacy-centric features may impact speed and produce slower search responses. |
5. Greater privacy: DuckDuckGo supports Global Privacy Control (GPC), letting you request websites not to collect or sell your data. | 5. Incompatible tools: more privacy means apps like Google Maps that often use browsing data might not work properly. |
6. Organic search results: you won’t get results based on location or browsing history. | 6. Fewer add-ons: users don’t have as many extensions or add-ons to supplement their online searches. |
7. Fewer ads: ads are transparent and are only based on your search queries. Targeted ads aren’t present at all. | 7. Partial encryption: search terms are still shown in your URL, so anyone who accesses your browser — physically or remotely — can view your history. |
8. A one-scroll experience: all search results are shown on one page, letting you scroll down to see more results. | 8. Limited performance: the search engine has a smaller index database with weaker crawling capabilities than larger rivals. |
9. Enhanced search filters: the bangs feature gives you results directly from a specified site — like Amazon — without having to visit that page first. | 9. Compromised privacy: while bangs allows for speedy, straightforward searches, it may make it easier for your data to be exposed and collected. |
10. Instant answers: just like Google’s featured snippets, you can get quick answers to search requests without opening a webpage. | 10. Smaller ecosystem: DuckDuckGo doesn’t offer many services outside its core search engine, so things like the Play Store or Google Drive aren’t available. |
DuckDuckGo vs. mainstream search engines
You can’t do a proper review without looking at the competition. Since you now know all the advantages and disadvantages of DuckDuckGo, let’s see how it compares to the most popular search engines.
DuckDuckGo vs. Google
Google is the go-to search engine for most of us, but that doesn’t make it perfect. Here’s how DuckDuckGo and Google look head-to-head:
- Google collects a lot of your personal information — like your location, IP (Internet Protocol) address, and search history — to provide user-oriented search results;
- Google offers robust features outside of Google Search — like Google Maps or YouTube — that DuckDuckGo lacks;
- Unlike Google, DuckDuckGo’s search results don’t come from an algorithm built on user information;
- While DuckDuckGo doesn’t have as many complementary tools as Google, features like Global Privacy Control and a website Privacy Grade make it a solid choice for private search. It also offers the DuckDuckGo browser as an alternative to Google Chrome.
To put it in other words, here’s what DuckDuckGo’s CEO had to say about Google:
“The issue with Google is they run four of the biggest ad networks in the world, and only one is search-related. The rest are on millions of sites and apps across the internet, and they use tracking to do better at ads on these third-party sites.”
– Gabriel Weinberg, DuckDuckGo CEO and Founder
DuckDuckGo vs. Yahoo
Yahoo is a search engine that’s stuck in the middle. It can’t match DuckDuckGo in privacy protection, nor is it as advanced as Google in terms of overall capabilities:
- Yahoo allows for a simplified search experience that integrates with its own content and media services, like Yahoo Email and Yahoo News;
- Yahoo shows targeted ads and personalized search results, collecting just as much of your data as Google;
- DuckDuckGo provides unbiased search results and boasts its default DuckDuckGo browser. Yahoo has no browser of its own.
DuckDuckGo vs. Bing
Microsoft fans may treat Bing as their default search engine. And while DuckDuckGo gets its search results from Bing, that doesn’t necessarily make the two platforms similar:
- Bing does little to protect your privacy, collecting data — like your precise location — to deliver more personalized results;
- The Bing Rewards loyalty program lets users earn points for using Bing that can be redeemed for gift cards, online discounts, and more. DuckDuckGo doesn’t have anything like this;
- DuckDuckGo does a far better job protecting your privacy and keeping your searches free of trackers and targeted ads.
In sum, DuckDuckGo is more secure than other popular search engines. However, using it means missing out on numerous advanced features or personalization options.
Use DuckDuckGo with a VPN for enhanced safety
DuckDuckGo is a reliable private search engine, but if you want greater online privacy and security, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) like Surfshark is vital.
When you connect to Surfshark, your data is automatically encrypted, and your device is given a different IP address. A VPN will hide your IP address from the websites you visit and any third-party trackers that DuckDuckGo might not have disabled.
Pairing a VPN with DuckDuckGo doesn’t just make your searches private — your online activity is also shielded from potential snoops, hackers, and even your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
Moreover, every site you click on while browsing with DuckDuckGo will view you as a unique user with a VPN. If any can track your location, they won’t see where you really are — they’ll only see the VPN server’s location.
Surfshark VPN and DuckDuckGo work together to create a safe online ecosystem. They provide the perks of a private search engine and an extra layer of VPN security.
Surfshark Search: an alternative private search engine
Other mainstream search engines don’t match DuckDuckGo’s leading privacy measures — but Surfshark Search does.
Like DuckDuckGo, Surfshark Search doesn’t track your browsing habits and provides fully organic search results. However, it goes a step further in increasing online security. Here’s why it might be the right search engine for you:
- It’s 100% ad-free: DuckDuckGo may not show targeted ads, but you’ll still see ads based on your search terms. Surfshark Search lets you browse without any ads whatsoever;
- It simplifies region swapping: DuckDuckGo technically helps users get region-specific results, but you’ll have to tinker with its parameters a bit. Surfshark Search makes it a snap, letting you choose your desired region from a drop-down menu right next to the search bar;
- It’s included in Surfshark One: Surfshark Search comes bundled with Surfshark VPN, Surfshark Antivirus, and Surfshark Alert, so you’re getting much more than a privacy-focused search engine. While DuckDuckGo rolled out a VPN in 2024, it’s still in its infancy and lacks certain key features.
DuckDuckGo review: the verdict is in
Is DuckDuckGo legit? In a word — yes.
Where most other search engines prioritize data collection to deliver more relevant results — and help out advertisers — DuckDuckGo offers a more private search experience, making it one of the safest options available.
That said, it’s worth remembering that no single tool can offer 100% privacy. Your safest bet is to combine a private search engine with a VPN — with a solution like the Surfshark One bundle — to elevate your online security across the board.
FAQ
What is the downside of DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo doesn’t let you personalize search results, but this trade-off appeals to many privacy-seekers dissatisfied with most search engines. It doesn’t store personal data like Google, meaning your search history doesn’t affect results.
Is DuckDuckGo owned by Google?
DuckDuckGo is not owned by Google. It is owned by Duck Duck Go Inc., so you could call it an independent search engine.
Is DuckDuckGo a VPN?
DuckDuckGo’s core product is a search engine, but in 2024, they released a VPN under their paid Privacy Pro subscription.
Is DuckDuckGo owned by Microsoft?
DuckDuckGo isn’t owned by Microsoft, but it relies on Bing’s algorithm to answer search queries.
What is the safest search engine?
No search engine is the safest, but DuckDuckGo, Startpage, and Surfshark Search are among the best private search engines around.
Why should I use DuckDuckGo instead of Google?
There are two main reasons to choose DuckDuckGo over Google: privacy and unbiased search results. DuckDuckGo doesn’t store or track user data, which goes a long way in boosting your online privacy. And since it doesn’t have any of your data, your search results stay pure and without user bias.
Is DuckDuckGo free?
Yes, the DuckDuckGo search engine and browser are free, but in 2024, DuckDuckGo introduced Privacy Pro, a paid subscription that includes a VPN and other premium privacy tools.
Can DuckDuckGo be trusted?
Yes, DuckDuckGo is trustworthy. Compared to many other search engines, DuckDuckGo takes more steps to protect user privacy, like blocking third-party trackers.
