Everyone is aware that Google is a global giant and has long since left its competitors behind. Although it is used by 92% web users and is what we think of when someone says 'search engine', this does not mean that there is nothing else besides Google. In this article, we'll explore the world of other search engines, exploring their diversity, advantages and how they can broaden the horizons of your web browsing experience. Ready to travel off the beaten path? Feel free to explore the alternatives!
Why consider alternatives to Google at all?
Founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, the Google search engine quickly became the most popular way to find content in the vast expanse of the internet. Google's simplicity and efficiency have made it almost synonymous with the very act of searching for information online (see the phrase 'Google something', meaning 'search').
However, with the growing dominance of Google, there has also been criticism of this search engine. One of the main criticisms is the issue of user privacy - Google is accused of excessive collection and use of personal data for advertising purposes.
In addition, Google's monopolistic position in the market may lead to a reduction in the diversity of search results and the promotion of content in line with the company's interests rather than the objectively best. Some users also complain about excessive advertising and the commercialisation of search results.
In response to these issues, a number of alternative search engines have emerged on the market that focus on privacy, diversity of results and transparency of operation. In the remainder of this article, we will take a closer look at a few of them to assess whether they can provide real competition to Google.
Other search engines besides Google - an overview
1. bing - is the No. 2 search engine in Poland and worldwide. It was founded in 2009 and is Microsoft's default browser. Despite being the runner-up, Bing only rakes in around 3% of the global search engine market share.
2. Yandex - a Russian-Dutch search engine with twenty-seven years of experience. It was only in 2019 that Google overtook Yandex as a percentage of internet users in Russia - but there is still a fierce rivalry between the two.
3. Yahoo! - launched in 1995, the search engine had a 1.23% share of the internet search market at the end of November 2022.
4. Baidu - a Chinese search engine that was established in 2000. It is used by the majority of the Chinese population. It operates in Chinese and Japanese.
5. DuckDuckGo - was founded in 2008, and its share of the global search engine market is very small (less than 1%). What does win over its 'followers', however, is the fact that it does not collect personal data.
6. Mojeek - is a search engine with its own index of websites and a privacy policy with no tracking of users. It is hosted in one of the UK's greenest data centres.
That's not all the search engine world has to offer. Still available for users are the eco-friendly Ecosia (donates 80% of its revenues to non-profit organisations dedicated to planting trees) or Qwant, among others.
How to use alternative search engines?
The transition to using search engines other than Google does not have to be difficult. There are some simple ways to start exploring alternative options.
- Changing the default search engine in your browser: You can set a search engine other than Google as the default in your browser.
- Use of browser extensions or plug-ins: There are extensions for popular browsers such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari that allow easy use of alternative browsers.
- Using dedicated search engine websites: You can directly access the websites of alternative search engines such as DuckDuckGo or Bing.
With these ways, you can easily test different search engines and choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences e.g. regarding privacy.
Should you position your website outside of Google?
Ok, you are already familiar with search engines other than Google. But are they worth looking into if you're positioning a website?
In most cases positioning to go beyond Google does not make much sense. What's more, sites that are positioned high on Google usually also rank high on the search engines Bing and Yahoo!, the only viable alternatives to Google in the Western world.
But when is it worth positioning outside of Google?
This is when the company's area of operation includes those markets where the US search engine does not have a monopoly. An example is China, where Baidu controls almost 80% of the search engine market.
Other search engines besides Google - worth exploring, but...
Exploring alternative search engines beyond Google can be fascinating. Platforms such as DuckDuckGo, Bing and Ecosia offer unique features, which may attract some users. So it is worth being aware of these alternatives and taking an interest in them, especially if you are concerned about privacy or specialised content.
However, when it comes to the issue of positioning your website, it should be approached with caution and a well thought-out strategy. In most cases, especially if our main goal is to reach as many users as possible, positioning ourselves on Google will be by far the most effective solution. The search engine giant's huge share of the market makes it undeniably the focal point for most activities SEO.
Keep in mind, however, that every situation is different and SEO strategy should be tailored to individual business needs and goals. For specific industries or a company's focus on markets where Google is not as dominant, exploring other search engines can be beneficial.
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