Top 5 Search Engine Alternatives

Posted: 8/20/2013

Everyone of us is a Searcher, an information Hunter. Given the vast and limitless scope of using Internet for research and recreation alike, a good search engine is what one needs. While Google, Bing and Yahoo have been the most trustworthy players on the scene for decades now, can users actually want to use some other alternatives to these biggies?

To answer that honestly, yes people do look out for alternative speed driven search engines. The reasons behind this opt-out act is not because the Big Players are doing a lesser job, in fact they are doing great. But when it comes to putting out our own information to access something we want, these biggies offer no clear cut privacy options. Once the information is accessible via Google (practically the unmatched Search Engine God), the concerns over privacy breach are stark.

Now there, it is not Google fault if your details showed up on their search results. Maybe that's what you were trying to do i.e come into Google's ambit. But how much of information did you want them to access was a choice taken away from you.

Precisely due to such concerns, Web users want to explore other open-source platforms for better Web presence as well as test Google's validity in the niche in a subtle manner.

We have a list of notable alternative options for those wanting to try out "new search".

1. Duck Duck Go

"Search anonymously. Find Instantly" that's their sub titular catch phrase you will see below the Search Bar. Founded in 2008, the search engine is your best bet if you are a privacy phobic searcher since it does not track its users. Their highlight features include goodies targeted at narrowing search on programming and calculation related searches.

2. Wolfram Alpha

Now this is a real long term technological development by Stephen Wolfram over a period of 20 odd years. A search engine that uses its own dynamic computations, in-built data and algorithms to facilitate users gain what they are looking for, it is a truly high class example of web development. Just sign up to get started.

3. Ark

Looking to find your old classmates, expanding your business circle or search your friends on other social networks, Ark is looks exactly like your Facebook's Graph Search. A protegee of YCombinator, the search engine was built by Patrick Riley and Yiming Liu in 2012. With their vast inclusive potential - 1 billion social network profiles, they surely enable expansive search based on locations, employment details etc.

4. GoodSearch

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If you are a socially committed person on a lookout for community welfare options, GoodSearch is probably what you should consider. With over 100 plus daily causes and association with 100,000 organizations like UNICEF and other non profits, this search engine donates to the causes users choose. Users get to search the Web, play online games , shop, find out dining hotspots. Their GoodShop and GoodSurvey sections are of special interest for cataloguing merchants and even conduct market surveys to earn money for cause-based charity.

5. Ixquick

Another great tool for privacy seekers, this search engine enables on or off the Web, be it images, phone numbers, addresses, call tracking and even e-mail inductions such as emoticons. Their special feature is the "star" grant on each search i.e when a search result shows up, it is rated by other search engines to validate the data displayed.

So which one will be your pick of the day? Let us know by leaving a reply in the section below.

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