DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that doesn’t track your personal data or search history, offering a safer alternative to Google for private browsing.

Is DuckDuckGo safer than Google?

Yes. DuckDuckGo blocks trackers, doesn’t collect personal data, and doesn’t create search profiles, making it more secure for privacy-conscious users.

Who founded DuckDuckGo and where is it from?

DuckDuckGo was founded in 2008 by Gabriel Weinberg in the United States, with a mission to create a safer, more private search experience.

What Is DuckDuckGo? Is It Safer Than Google?

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TOS Content Editor

24th Nov, 2025

If you’ve ever wondered “What is DuckDuckGo?” or whether DuckDuckGo is actually safer than Google, you’re not alone. As privacy concerns grow and users become more aware of how their data is collected online, DuckDuckGo has become a popular alternative search engine especially for those who want a more private and secure search experience. In this guide, TOS will walk you through everything you need to know about DuckDuckGo, how it works, how it compares to Google, its pros and cons, and how to use it effectively.

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What Is DuckDuckGo?

DuckDuckGo (often called DDG) is a privacy-focused search engine designed to protect users from tracking, data collection, and advertising surveillance. Unlike Google, DuckDuckGo doesn’t store personal data, doesn’t create search profiles, and doesn’t follow users around the internet with targeted ads.

In a digital world where user information is constantly being collected and leaked, DuckDuckGo introduces a refreshing approach: a search engine that simply doesn’t track you. If you’re looking for a browser and search engine that prioritizes privacy, DuckDuckGo is one of the strongest options available today.

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Where Is DuckDuckGo From and Who Founded It?

DuckDuckGo was launched in 2008 in the United States by founder and CEO Gabriel Weinberg. With experience building online platforms and studying user behaviors, Weinberg created DuckDuckGo with a mission: give people a safer and more private experience on the internet.

DuckDuckGo’s growth has been steady for years. By January 19, 2021, the platform reached over 102 million daily searches, demonstrating how quickly interest in private search engines has surged.

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Where Is DuckDuckGo From and Who Founded It

How Does DuckDuckGo Work and How Does It Make Money?

DuckDuckGo combines sources like Bing, Wikipedia, and other partners to deliver search results. When you search on DuckDuckGo, DDG’s servers query these sources but third parties never receive your IP address or personal information. DuckDuckGo is free to use, so how does it make money?

DuckDuckGo’s Revenue Model

Keyword-based ads (not behavior-based): DDG shows ads based solely on the keywords you search, not your personal profile, past activity, or browsing history. These ads are served through the Yahoo – Microsoft partnership.
Affiliate programs (Amazon & eBay): If you click a result for Amazon or eBay through DuckDuckGo and make a purchase, the company earns a small commission without sending any personal data to those retailers.

This model allows DuckDuckGo to stay privacy-first while still operating sustainably.

Advantages of DuckDuckGo

The biggest strength of DuckDuckGo is its privacy protection. Here’s what sets it apart:

1. No Tracking or Personal Data Collection

DuckDuckGo doesn’t store:

Search history
Personal profiles
IP addresses
Cookies used for ad targeting

This means no “filter bubbles” like Google’s customized results that can skew what you see.

Example: If you search “hair care,” DuckDuckGo simply shows shampoo, conditioner, or hair treatment pages without personalizing based on your past searches.

2. Bangs Feature

DuckDuckGo’s “Bangs” lets you search specific sites directly.

Example: Typing !amazon shoes takes you straight to amazon.com instead of displaying search results. This is a time saving feature loved by power users.

3. Built-in Privacy Tools

Basic bookmark functionality
Tracker blocking
HTTPS upgrading
Ability to disable ads

4. Partnerships With Privacy-Focused Organizations

DuckDuckGo actively collaborates with privacy advocates and organizations to raise industry standards.

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Disadvantages of DuckDuckGo

Because DuckDuckGo doesn’t track user behavior, the search engine has less personalized and sometimes less accurate results compared to Google.

Google’s unmatched data set allows it to deliver hyper accurate results, especially for local searches, long-tail queries, and predictive needs. DDG sacrifices some of this accuracy to maintain privacy.

Is DuckDuckGo Safe?

Yes. DuckDuckGo is considered one of the safest search engines available. You can enhance your privacy further with:

Incognito mode within DuckDuckGo
Free DDG Proxy, which hides your IP address

Because it doesn’t store personal data and blocks trackers by default, DDG is trusted by users who prioritize online safety.

DuckDuckGo vs Google: Which Is Better?

Google is the most powerful search engine in the world, and its ecosystem includes Gmail, Drive, Docs, YouTube, and more. But Google collects a massive amount of user data to personalize ads and experiences.

DuckDuckGo does the opposite:

No data collection
No tracking
No personalized ad profiling

If privacy is your top priority, DuckDuckGo is the clear winner. If accuracy, personalization, and ecosystem convenience matter more, Google is hard to beat. Most users try both to decide which features matter most to them.

How to Download and Use DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo for Desktop Browsers

DuckDuckGo works across all major browsers:

Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Opera

You can also install the DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials extension, which:

Blocks hidden trackers
Forces encrypted HTTPS connections
Gives quick access to DuckDuckGo Search

DuckDuckGo on Mobile Devices

DuckDuckGo has expanded beyond web search into mobile apps for both Android and iOS. The mobile browser includes:

Tracker blocking
Encryption enforcement
Private search
A “fire” button that clears all browsing data instantly

The experience is clean, minimal, and built for privacy first browsing.

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FAQ about DuckDuckGo

What is DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that doesn’t track your personal data or search history, offering a safer alternative to Google for private browsing.
How does DuckDuckGo work?
DuckDuckGo retrieves search results from sources like Bing and Wikipedia without storing your IP address or personal information, ensuring complete user privacy.
Is DuckDuckGo safer than Google?
Yes. DuckDuckGo blocks trackers, doesn’t collect personal data, and doesn’t create search profiles, making it more secure for privacy-conscious users.
Who founded DuckDuckGo and where is it from?
DuckDuckGo was founded in 2008 by Gabriel Weinberg in the United States, with a mission to create a safer, more private search experience.

Conclusion

Now you know what DuckDuckGo is, how it works, how safe it is, and whether it’s a better choice than Google. If you value privacy and want a search experience that doesn’t track or profile you, DuckDuckGo is absolutely worth trying both as a search engine and as a browser. If you’re curious about SEO, digital marketing, or how DuckDuckGo impacts search strategies, explore more resources at TOS for expert insights.

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