Did you know that there are many search engines besides Google? Yup! You didn’t read it wrong.
So, in this article, Bitlabs will tell you many examples of search engines. Not only that, we will discuss the examples in full. Including the advantages and disadvantages.
So what? So that you know and have more choices when you want to browse information. Especially if you are worried about data privacy and want to be free from the bias of Google’s algorithm dominance.
13+ Examples of the Best Alternative Search Engines
Without further ado, let’s just check out this list of search engine examples!
1. Google
Even though the title is a search engine other than Google, it seems like we would be a sin if we didn’t discuss this search engine.
Google deserves to be placed in first position. The problem is that this search engine, released in 1996, really dominates the world. At least 70% of searches on the internet are carried out via Google.
It is so popular that people often reflexively say “googling” when looking for information on the internet.
Well, because many people use Google, it’s natural that Google is relied on to bring organic traffic to websites. Most SEOs also choose to focus on Google.
Google search results are also the most complete to date. Not only because its algorithm is the most complex, but also because it provides search results from a combination of other search engines—for example from Ask.com
Advantage:
- The most complete search results with the largest traffic
- There are many language options
- The algorithm is constantly updated
- There are many options for sorting search results
Disadvantages:
- SEO is too competitive
- The search results are biased towards Google derivative products (YouTube, Android, AdWords, etc.)
- Logs and stores user activity
2. YouTube
Yep! You didn’t read it wrong. YouTube is in the search engine category!
Amazingly, it turns out that YouTube is the second most used search engine in the world—right behind Google. How is that possible?
This cannot be separated from the increasing popularity of video content on the internet. YouTube has the most complete video directory to date. This website has continued to grow rapidly since it was born in 2005 and then bought by Google a year later.
How big is YouTube’s contribution to the world of search engines? Approximately 1.5 billion users log in to their accounts every month. Plus, more than a billion hours of video are played every day!
Advantage:
- Video topics are very complete in various languages
- There is no limit on the number of video uploads
- The sorting feature works optimally
Disadvantages:
- Just like Google, YouTube also records and studies user activity
- Frequent restrictions (usually based on region)
- Not a few videos have inappropriate titles and content (clickbait).
3. Yandex
Approximately 50% of total internet search results in Russia use Yandex as the search engine. It is also popular in Kazakhstan, Belarus, Türkiye and Ukraine.
The project to create this search engine started in 1990, but it was only in 1993 that the name Yandex was used. This term is an abbreviation of “Yet Another iNDEXer”.
After years of development, the Yandex.ru domain was finally launched in 1997. Its search results are more optimized for Russian-language sites with a simpler algorithm than Google.
Even so, many say the image search results (reverse image tool) are the best.
Advantage:
- A good search engine alternative if you are bored with Google
- Reliable Russian language website search directory
- Tool reverse image-nya bagus
Disadvantages:
- The international search is incomplete
4. CC Search
One of the difficulties when you want to search for something on the internet and want to use the search results is copyright issues. That’s why CC Search was born.
It is a search engine that provides copyright-free search results.
With CC Search you can search for videos, images or music for your needs without worrying about violating the creator’s rights.
The way this search engine works is simple: it takes results from special sites such as SoundCloud, Wikimedia, or Flicker and displays material that has the Creative Commons label. Delicious, right?
Advantage:
- Displays copyright-free search results
- Search results have been curated by the system
- Includes various types of material (video, music, images)
Disadvantages:
- The search results are limited
5. DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is known as a search engine that cares about data protection and user privacy.
It does not store and does not track user search information. As a result, users feel like they are surfing in incognito mode.
DuckDuckGo is not as big as Google. In a month there are approximately only 1.5 billion searches from there. Compare this with Google which produces 3.5 billion search results per day.
However, DuckDuckGo’s algorithm is better at maintaining privacy. As a result, the search results are unbiased and more objective.
Advantage:
- Does not save search history
- Search settings can be saved in the cloud
- Quick SERP displays
- Can apply region restrictions
Disadvantages:
- Search results are not as complex as Google’s even though the appearance is similar
6. Microsoft Bing
Bing is a replacement for Microsoft’s MSN Search. After its release in 2009, its popularity continued to rise, especially in the United States. It takes up 30% of search results in America, positioning it as the #2 search engine in the country.
Bing’s main target is to compete with Google. For this reason, it continues to update its keyword search accuracy features and algorithms. Including in the ad serving section to pursue AdWords.
Organically, Bing’s algorithm is not as complex as Google’s. For those pursuing SEO, this is certainly good news. Because this makes it easier for them to understand, predict and optimize content.
However, don’t be happy just yet. Because this search engine is still young, it is likely that there will always be algorithm updates in the future.
Advantage:
- The home page is attractive by displaying curated images
- Good search predictions
- There is a rewards program (get points every time you use it)
- Language translation results are reliable
Disadvantages:
- Traffic is still relatively low
- Privacy aspects 11-12 with Google
7. Search Encrypt
Increasingly, the aspect of privacy is increasingly important when surfing in cyberspace. Apart from DuckDuckGo, there are other search engines that prioritize this aspect. It’s called, Search Encrypt.
It is a search engine that uses local encryption to ensure that your search history is confidential.
Search Encrypt uses a combination of special methods, namely Secure Sockets Layer and AES-256 encryption.
As a result, this machine will set an “expiration time”. So, the keywords you type will be deleted according to the specified time. Your information will remain safe even if other people have local access to your computer.
Advantage:
- Ads are displayed based on keywords, not search history
- Privacy protection that deletes data automatically
- The facial appearance is simple
Disadvantages:
- No language filter
8. Boardreader
This is the favorite of thread surfers on the internet!
If you are interested in finding information about certain things in forums, try Boardreader.
This search engine combines results from a database of online forums. Just type in keywords, the results will automatically be filtered from general websites. Simple!
Advantage:
- Makes it easier to search across forums
Disadvantages:
- Limited search results
9. Wiki.com
If number 8 focuses on forums, this point belongs to Wiki, aka online encyclopedia.
It turns out there are lots of wiki websites on the internet! The most famous are probably Wikipedia and WikiHow. So, with this search engine, you will immediately be presented with results from other wikis.
It is one of the best search engines for those of you who like search results from community-managed information websites.
Advantage:
- Suitable for lovers of wiki content and its community
Disadvantages:
- Limited search results
10. Ecosia
Did you know that Google’s giant traffic has a direct impact on the environment?
Search results from Google are stored on a special server. The server is so big, it needs its own cooling technology that must be on 24/7!
The impact? The production of carbon emissions is also increasing.
That’s why Ecosia is here. This search engine made by a German company wants to be an environmentally friendly machine.
Any income earned by Ecosia will be channeled to planting trees. You can also plant trees here! Just use Ecosia 45-56 times, then you will contribute one tree ready to be planted.
Advantage:
- Displays the number of trees that have been planted on the home page
- Environmentally friendly
- Protects user privacy by adopting encryption and not selling user profiles
Disadvantages:
- Search results are less accurate
- Ads are less relevant
11. Twitter
Google may be the most complete and most complex. But in terms of update speed, aka real-time information, Twitter is the winner!
To this day, the activeness of the Twitter community makes this social media a real-time search engine. You can immediately get updated information on certain topics throughout the world at any time. Just enter keywords, the conversations will immediately appear.
You can also sort them based on relevance, chronology, or embedded media. Make you feel more at home!
Advantage:
- Connect directly with social media features
- Information updates are very fast
Disadvantages:
- The ad is irrelevant
- Search results can be clouded by spam bots
People are always looking for presentation files. Its short, concise and clear presentation makes it a reference if netizens want to learn quickly about something. That’s why Slideshare is here.
Slideshare’s presentation document directory is still the most complete to this day. Not only that, you can also search for ebooks and other PDF files. Plus, you can download all these files!
Advantage:
- Great for access to business and educational content
- Community based sharing
Disadvantages:
- File quality filters are sometimes not good
13. Facebook
Similar to Twitter, Facebook was originally a social media platform. But as more and more content is uploaded there, it has become one of the popular search engines.
How great is Facebook as a search engine? Data in 2019 shows 2 billion searches are made on Facebook per day! That figure far surpasses Bing.
However, just like Google, Facebook records user activity. This data recording is processed so that the content recommendations displayed can match the user’s preferences.
If Google records data based on location and search history; Facebook is more specific. It can relate data about type of work, interests and other demographic data. This is because the search results are linked directly to the user’s profile.
Advantage:
- The search results are varied because there are billions of users
- Connect directly to social media features
Disadvantages:
- Search results can be covered by bots
- Personalized advertising from private data
14. Baidu
Baidu was created in 2000 in China and has become the main search engine in that country until now.
At least 82% of search results in the bamboo curtain country are done with Baidu! This equates to 3.3 billion search results per day! Google alone only got a splash of 0.61% and Bing only got a splash of 0.37%.
Baidu is a champion for Chinese content. This search engine is investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI).
This search engine is very useful when used in China because it is integrated with many other technology services—including e-commerce.
One thing is certain, you have to be really fluent in Mandarin to make optimal use of it.
Advantage:
- Great for Chinese searches
- Integrated with many local services
Disadvantages:
- Strict censorship
- Limited international search
Which example of a search engine other than Google is your favorite?
These are examples of search engines that you can use as an alternative to Google.
Of course, there are many other search engines out there. But you can use at least 14 examples of search engines discussed here.
You can try all the search engines one by one. Then choose which one is most pleasing to your heart and at the same time be able to answer various questions in your head.
Anyway, happy surfing in cyberspace again!