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douglas9

(4,358 posts)
Thu Apr 15, 2021, 08:47 AM Apr 2021

How to use DuckDuckGo instead of Google and other sites to get faster and precise results

DuckDuckGo is a popular internet search engine that is privacy-focused and ad-free. It is widely recommended by security professionals, blogs, armchair experts, because it does not profile users or harvest their data.

I should tell you this straightaway, this article is not about the search engine's privacy related features, but as the title reads, how to use the service more efficiently.

That said, here's a brief introduction about DDG (as its abbreviated). The search provider hit a milestone in January of this year, as it reached 100 Million search queries on a single day.

So why isn't DuckDuckGo used as much as Google, or even Bing? Short answer, marketing. Google and Microsoft with their endless resources promote their search engine in various ways, and it pays off. Their biggest strength is that their search engine is set as the default one in the stock browser, i.e. Microsoft Edge in Windows 10, and Google Chrome on Android. The companies also have various partnerships with popular device manufacturers and organizations, to make their search engine the default in the third-party products, e.g. Apple Safari and Mozilla Firefox. That's the reason why the search engine that protects personal information is often overlooked.


https://www.ghacks.net/2021/04/15/how-to-use-duckduckgo-instead-of-google-and-other-sites-to-get-faster-and-precise-results/

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
How to use DuckDuckGo instead of Google and other sites to get faster and precise results (Original Post) douglas9 Apr 2021 OP
I've been Ducking Google exclusively for over 2 years now .. marketing search engines reminds me how MichaelSoE Apr 2021 #1
remember the microsoft law suit that was brought on by the doj? AllaN01Bear Apr 2021 #5
Of course I do ... I also remember creating web sites and refusing to use IE's non W3C html causing MichaelSoE Apr 2021 #6
twas a peice of junk if i remember , now m$ owns edge . AllaN01Bear Apr 2021 #8
Thanks for posting this. SharonClark Apr 2021 #2
For the Green People douglas9 Apr 2021 #4
Posted my first reply before reading the article and all I can say is WOW MichaelSoE Apr 2021 #3
Thanks. I just discovered some very cool new music Pinback May 2021 #13
I've had it as my preferred search in all my browsers-- rarely lets me down... TreasonousBastard Apr 2021 #7
Thanks for posting Sherman A1 Apr 2021 #9
I've been meaning to try it. Go, DuckDuckGo! hlthe2b Apr 2021 #10
Use it on my mobile Pas-de-Calais Apr 2021 #11
DuckDuckGo. 🚨 💥 underpants Apr 2021 #12

MichaelSoE

(1,576 posts)
1. I've been Ducking Google exclusively for over 2 years now .. marketing search engines reminds me how
Thu Apr 15, 2021, 08:58 AM
Apr 2021

Micro$oft destroyed Netscape Navigator back in the 90's by integrating their browser into Windows '95

AllaN01Bear

(17,890 posts)
5. remember the microsoft law suit that was brought on by the doj?
Thu Apr 15, 2021, 09:42 AM
Apr 2021

was going to prosocute , but got slapped down at the last moment when there was a change of presidents . ( i think shrub sr.)

MichaelSoE

(1,576 posts)
6. Of course I do ... I also remember creating web sites and refusing to use IE's non W3C html causing
Thu Apr 15, 2021, 09:53 AM
Apr 2021

browser crashes. I hated the little gifs everywhere stating "This best viewed with IE"

SharonClark

(10,014 posts)
2. Thanks for posting this.
Thu Apr 15, 2021, 09:03 AM
Apr 2021

The article (link below) recommends several alternative search engines, a link to alternative browsers and email services, and a link to wiping your Google history. Worth reading even if you're happy with what you currently use.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2020/11/21/6-internet-search-engines-respect-your-privacy/6306467002/

MichaelSoE

(1,576 posts)
3. Posted my first reply before reading the article and all I can say is WOW
Thu Apr 15, 2021, 09:10 AM
Apr 2021

I never knew about the 'bangs' and when I went to DDG's bang page I was astounded. Here's the link for the bang page
https://duckduckgo.com/bang

Pinback

(12,150 posts)
13. Thanks. I just discovered some very cool new music
Mon May 17, 2021, 01:07 PM
May 2021

thanks to searching DDG for "jazz" with a bang:
Eleven alternative Nigerian musicians you should know --
http://urbaneffect.net/eleven-alternative-nigerian-musicians-you-should-know/

Even though there's only a whiff of jazz in these tracks, there is some very good pop music at this link, so this was a good discovery.


Edited to add: I see now why this search led me to this page. On the preceding page I visited after entering this search, there's a listing featuring a music producer named "stevejazz." His music is very commercial pop and decidedly non-jazz.

But what the hell -- it was still nice to find some cool new Nigerian artists.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
7. I've had it as my preferred search in all my browsers-- rarely lets me down...
Thu Apr 15, 2021, 10:12 AM
Apr 2021

Once in a while I end up with Google or Bing, and am amazed at how much they've been foxxed up with extraneous bullshit.

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