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DuckDuckGo logo

Search engine

DuckDuckGo

Search without being tracked across the web

Privacy score 78 Free Technical: Beginner
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DuckDuckGo is a

that reduces and profiling. It helps you keep more control over your data.

Web

Who is this for?

✓ Good for you if:

  • • You want a simple privacy-focused search default
  • • You don’t want a search account or search-history profile
  • • You want quick answers and mainstream usability
  • • You like features like shortcut commands (bangs) for site search

⚠ Think twice if:

  • • You want an independent only (many engines use partners)
  • • You want zero ads in search results
  • • You need maximum anonymity without trusting any provider
  • • You rely heavily on deep personalization

Overview

DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine

that doesn't track you or build a profile about you. Unlike most search engines, DuckDuckGo doesn't collect your personal information, doesn't store your search history, and doesn't use cookies to follow you around the web. When you search on DuckDuckGo, your searches aren't linked to you, and the service doesn't create a profile of your interests. DuckDuckGo gets its search results from its own web crawler and partnerships with other search providers, so you still get good results. The service includes helpful features like instant answers to common questions and "bangs" - shortcut commands that let you search other websites directly. DuckDuckGo is free to use and makes money through contextual ads that don't track you. It's available as a default search option in many browsers and has mobile apps too. DuckDuckGo has become one of the most popular privacy-focused search alternatives, processing billions of searches every year.

Privacy highlight

Privacy-focused

with no , no user profiles, and no . Popular alternative to mainstream search engines.

Quick facts

Country:
🇺🇸 United States
Pricing:
Free
Platform:
Web
Technical:
Beginner
:
No
:
Minimal telemetry
:
No
Open-source status:
Closed source
:
No
:
No

Key features

Security & encryption Click to expand
No
Encryption protocols
,
DuckDuckGo uses standard / () for all connections. The service does not require user keys as it operates as a web-based . All search queries are transmitted over encrypted connections. DuckDuckGo does not store keys for user data because it does not store personal user data, search history, or create user profiles. The service uses standard web security practices including certificate validation and secure connections.
Offline support
No
Telemetry & tracking Click to expand
Minimal telemetry
No
Ip no
DuckDuckGo does not collect personal information or track users. The service does not log IP addresses, does not store search queries, and does not use for . DuckDuckGo may collect aggregated, anonymized statistics for service improvement (such as popular search terms), but these do not contain personally identifiable information. The service does not use third-party tools or services that track users across websites.
Jurisdiction & compliance Click to expand
DuckDuckGo is based in the United States (Pennsylvania). Search queries are processed on DuckDuckGo servers, but the service does not store personal user data or search history, so there is minimal data residency concern. DuckDuckGo operates under US privacy laws and complies with GDPR for European users.
DuckDuckGo does not store personal user data or search history. The service does not log IP addresses and does not create user profiles. Search queries are not stored or linked to users. DuckDuckGo does not retain any data that can be used to identify individual users. The service operates under US privacy laws and does not collect or store personal information.
Legal frameworks
GDPR (where applicable), CCPA (where applicable). DuckDuckGo is based in the United States and operates under US privacy laws.
Revenue sources
Ads, Affiliate
Editorial signals Click to expand
78
Trust score
82
Trust breakdown (0–10)
Encryption: 85, Audits: 75, Open source: 60, Telemetry: 95, Jurisdiction: 70, Transparency: 85, Trackers: 95
Editorial notes
Usability: 90, Performance: 85, Family friendly: 90
User experience Click to expand
Signup requirements
No account or signup required. DuckDuckGo works without registration, email, or personal information. Users can simply visit the website and start searching.
Onboarding difficulty (1-5)
1
Accessibility features
DuckDuckGo includes accessibility features such as keyboard navigation and screen reader support. The web interface follows accessibility guidelines and can be used with assistive technologies.
Backup & portability Click to expand
No
Migration tools
No migration tools needed - DuckDuckGo works as a web-based search engine. Users can simply switch their default search engine to DuckDuckGo.
No account recovery needed - no accounts are required. DuckDuckGo works without user accounts.

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