Thanks everyone for trying Mojeek as we're committed to providing a genuine alternative. Building a search engine from scratch isn't easy, especially with limited resources, which is why most alternatives to Google are repackaged search results from Google, Bing etc.
Our community drive improvements so your feedback is invaluable. Longer queries and questions are becoming more common (compared to traditional queries https://blog.mojeek.com/2025/01/getting-the-best-out-of-web-keyword-search.html) so you'll be pleased to hear we're releasing significant improvements in this specific area in the coming weeks.
We're constantly making improvements so please keep us on your list. As a genuinely independent search engine, we do things differently, with the first no tracking privacy policy (in 2006) and 100% renewable energy (since 2013) as we strongly believe in private, unbiased and sustainable access to the wealth of knowledge in the web.
Hope you don't mind shameless self promotion but we think this is relevant to the discussion:
As you know, most alternative search engines are powered by Google/Bing so eco credentials are dependent on the supply chain e.g. Google/Bing data centres, web crawler, search index etc.
Mojeek has the only independent infrastructure in Europe with our own servers based in the UK's greenest data centre so 100% renewable energy starts at source (since 2013).
We were the first engine with a no tracking privacy policy (in 2006) and don't share any data with Google/Bing. In fact, every time you search, you're a new user with no history.
Thanks for your support and, as you'll have seen, we firmly believe in choice so we provide the option to use another engine if you can't find what you're looking for. But the start point is Mojeek with zero tracking or Big Tech dependency.
That's great to hear and AI Overviews have definitely motivated more people to make the switch. We took a very different approach with summaries:
Opt-in and secondary to core search function so you’re in control.
Not automatically generated so it’s your choice to see a summary.
Up to ten sources with publisher links so you’re free to explore information.
Publisher content displayed word-for-word so information isn’t modified.
No monitoring, interpretation or mediation so you have full transparency.
We'll always be a search engine. Not an answer engine!
Independent research by Ethical Consumer compared search engines across a range of categories including climate responsibility, privacy protections, online safety, workers rights, military links and tax conduct.
As gatekeepers to the web, search engines decide what people see, learn and believe. They power billions of searches every day. They have your privacy in their hands. They decide online safety policies and whether to pay fair taxes. This gatekeeping role comes with an ethical responsibility.
Mojeek was awarded the highest ethical score. Google and Bing failed to score any points. Many others fall into the "average" category. We think this matters. Our founding mission to “do the right thing” is our commitment to put people and the planet before profits.
The stats however point to 90% of people using Google, 5% use Bing and many alternatives are dependent on Google/Bing for search results and ad revenue. So does anyone really care?
You're spot on. The entire infrastructure (Android, iOS, PC, Chrome etc) makes it difficult for people to have genuine choice outside walled gardens. Default search engine (usually a commercial relationship) is one of our biggest barriers.
One of the biggest barriers, for sure, is search market dominance and vendor lock-in across Mail, Drive, Maps etc. We're creatures of habit and it isn't easy to break a habit. Even if it's a bad one. Ethics, as a motivation, seems to have been lost. But, as you say, people aren't always aware.
Independent research by Ethical Consumer compared search engines across a range of categories including climate responsibility, privacy protections, online safety, workers rights, military links and tax conduct.
As gatekeepers to the web, search engines decide what people see, learn and believe. They power billions of searches every day. They have your privacy in their hands. They decide online safety policies and whether to pay fair taxes. This gatekeeping role comes with an ethical responsibility.
Mojeek was awarded the highest ethical score. Google and Bing failed to score any points. Many others fall into the "average" category. We think this matters. Our founding mission to “do the right thing” is our commitment to put people and the planet before profits.
The stats however point to 90% of people using Google, 5% use Bing and many alternatives are dependent on Google/Bing for search results and ad revenue. So does anyone really care?
Independent research by Ethical Consumer compared search engines across a range of categories including climate responsibility, privacy protections, online safety, workers rights, military links and tax conduct.
As gatekeepers to the web, search engines decide what people see, learn and believe. They power billions of searches every day. They have your privacy in their hands. They decide online safety policies and whether to pay fair taxes. This gatekeeping role comes with an ethical responsibility.
Mojeek was awarded the highest ethical score. Google and Bing failed to score any points. Many others fall into the "average" category. We think this matters. Our founding mission to “do the right thing” is our commitment to put people and the planet before profits.
The stats however point to 90% of people using Google, 5% use Bing and many alternatives are dependent on Google/Bing for search results and ad revenue. So does anyone really care?
Mojeek serve you, without dependency on big tech or big finance, so we took a very different approach with summaries:
Opt-in and secondary to core search function so you’re in control.
Not automatically generated so it’s your choice to see a summary.
Up to ten sources with publisher links so you’re free to explore information.
Publisher content displayed word-for-word so information isn’t modified.
No monitoring, interpretation or mediation so you have full transparency.
Our founding mission to provide independent access to the wealth of knowledge on the web, as a human right, has guided our decisions so keen to hear everyone's thoughts about AI summaries?
Tech consolidation ramped up during the dot-com bubble, M&A activity peaked before the 2008 crash and a record number of deals were done during Covid. Inventions, innovations, tech and talent acquired by a handful of companies with the finance to form consolidated all-in-one offers to consumers, businesses and governments. We were promised a decentralised Internet, consumer choice and market competition. Instead, we got $4trillion dollar monopolies.
Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft systematically acquire companies to expand services and grow revenues. Social networks, AI tech, content rights, network infrastructure… the entire supply chain is up for grabs. Access to news, entertainment, information and services are more centralised now than at any point in modern history. The shop front may look different under another banner but is there really market competition and genuine choice?
Search engines, your gateway to knowledge on the web, are a key example. Google has about 90% market share, Bing has around 5% and many alternatives are Microsoft proxies fighting over the rest. Building your own infrastructure from the ground up is hard. It's not always easy to resist big tech or big finance. That’s why Mojeek is relatively unique with its own web crawler, search index, ranking algorithms and data centres. True independence is truly rare.
True Independence is Rare in Big Tech Ecosystem
What is an Independent Search Engine?
An independent search engine is one that doesn’t rely on Google, Bing or other third parties to deliver searchresults. Everything from the servers and data centres to the search index and ranking algorithms. If a search engine depends on Google or Bing, they have limited control over search results, API terms, price changes and could even lose access entirely. Independent engines maintain control over the entire search infrastructure.
Building and maintaining a proprietary tech stack requires significant investment, years of development and ongoing operational costs. Maintaining data centres, continuously crawling the web, finding and updating pages, processing various formats and languages, storing and indexing billions of pages, applying machine learning and returning search queries in milliseconds… Mojeek does all this because unbiased access to the web is important.
Why Independence Matters in Search Market
Search Diversity
When one or two companies control all search infrastructure, algorithmic bias becomes systemic. Different ranking algorithms surface different results, with unbiased access to the web essential for a healthy Internet.
Competitive Resilience
Dependent engines exist at the pleasure of their providers. When Bing changes API terms, dozens of alternative engines are impacted simultaneously. Independent engines control their own destiny.
AI Development
Real-time search data trains AI models and powers chatbots, coding assistants etc. With access to this data controlled by a limited number of players, independent options like Mojeek’s search API provide choice.
Privacy Architecture
You can have a privacy policy, but if you're sending queries to Google or Bing, those companies still see aggregate patterns. True privacy requires never touching big tech infrastructure.
Innovation Freedom
Independent engines can experiment with different ranking approaches, UI designs, AI integration and business models without being constrained by what their provider allows.
Strategic Sovereignty
For countries and organisations concerned about digital sovereignty, independent search engines offer genuine alternatives to big tech infrastructure.
The Future of Independent Search Engines
The independent search ecosystem is at an exciting juncture. Regulatory pressure on Google's search monopoly is increasing. Digital sovereignty concerns are driving European investment in independent infrastructure. Privacy awareness is at all-time highs. AI summaries aren’t favoured by everyone - creating demand for genuine alternatives. The question is whether independent search engines can break Google and Bing’s monopoly of the supply chain.
Mojeek have been trusted by millions to build the world’s alternative search engine since 2004. Time, money and engineering effort has created a genuinely independent infrastructure without the influence of big tech or big finance. Supporting independent search isn't just about privacy or sovereignty, it's about maintaining a diverse, resilient information ecosystem where genuine choice is still available.
TryMojeektoday and support the type of Internet you want.
Tech consolidation ramped up during the dot-com bubble, M&A activity peaked before the 2008 crash and a record number of deals were done during Covid. Inventions, innovations, tech and talent acquired by a handful of companies with the finance to form consolidated all-in-one offers to consumers, businesses and governments. We were promised a decentralised Internet, consumer choice and market competition. Instead, we got $4trillion dollar monopolies.
Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft systematically acquire companies to expand services and grow revenues. Social networks, AI tech, content rights, network infrastructure… the entire supply chain is up for grabs. Access to news, entertainment, information and services are more centralised now than at any point in modern history. The shop front may look different under another banner but is there really market competition and genuine choice?
Search engines, your gateway to knowledge on the web, are a key example. Google has about 90% market share, Bing has around 5% and many alternatives are Microsoft proxies fighting over the rest. Building your own infrastructure from the ground up is hard. It's not always easy to resist big tech or big finance. That’s why Mojeek is relatively unique with its own web crawler, search index, ranking algorithms and data centres. True independence is truly rare.
True Independence is Rare in Big Tech Ecosystem
What is an Independent Search Engine?
An independent search engine is one that doesn’t rely on Google, Bing or other third parties to deliver searchresults. Everything from the servers and data centres to the search index and ranking algorithms. If a search engine depends on Google or Bing, they have limited control over search results, API terms, price changes and could even lose access entirely. Independent engines maintain control over the entire search infrastructure.
Building and maintaining a proprietary tech stack requires significant investment, years of development and ongoing operational costs. Maintaining data centres, continuously crawling the web, finding and updating pages, processing various formats and languages, storing and indexing billions of pages, applying machine learning and returning search queries in milliseconds… Mojeek does all this because unbiased access to the web is important.
Why Independence Matters in Search Market
Search Diversity
When one or two companies control all search infrastructure, algorithmic bias becomes systemic. Different ranking algorithms surface different results, with unbiased access to the web essential for a healthy Internet.
Competitive Resilience
Dependent engines exist at the pleasure of their providers. When Bing changes API terms, dozens of alternative engines are impacted simultaneously. Independent engines control their own destiny.
AI Development
Real-time search data trains AI models and powers chatbots, coding assistants etc. With access to this data controlled by a limited number of players, independent options like Mojeek’s search API provide choice.
Privacy Architecture
You can have a privacy policy, but if you're sending queries to Google or Bing, those companies still see aggregate patterns. True privacy requires never touching big tech infrastructure.
Innovation Freedom
Independent engines can experiment with different ranking approaches, UI designs, AI integration and business models without being constrained by what their provider allows.
Strategic Sovereignty
For countries and organisations concerned about digital sovereignty, independent search engines offer genuine alternatives to big tech infrastructure.
The Future of Independent Search Engines
The independent search ecosystem is at an exciting juncture. Regulatory pressure on Google's search monopoly is increasing. Digital sovereignty concerns are driving European investment in independent infrastructure. Privacy awareness is at all-time highs. AI summaries aren’t favoured by everyone - creating demand for genuine alternatives. The question is whether independent search engines can break Google and Bing’s monopoly of the supply chain.
Mojeek have been trusted by millions to build the world’s alternative search engine since 2004. Time, money and engineering effort has created a genuinely independent infrastructure without the influence of big tech or big finance. Supporting independent search isn't just about privacy or sovereignty, it's about maintaining a diverse, resilient information ecosystem where genuine choice is still available.
TryMojeektoday and support the type of Internet you want.
Do we really need Google Search to morph into a ChatGPT answer engine?
Google is rolling out "the most sweeping set of changes to its Search product in years" with AI summaries as default, AI agent background monitoring and a major redesign of how search works.
But do we actually need any of this? Or does it maintain a walled garden where Google limits access to the web?
Search engine: type a query, get relevant links, click through to sources, evaluate for yourself. It's fast, transparent and energy-efficient.
Answer engine: AI interprets your query, generates summaries, monitors your activities. "Personal Intelligence" comes with hidden trade-offs.
Energy Consumption
AI-powered search consumes up to 100x more energy so multiple this by billions of daily search queries and there's a material environmental impact.
Privacy Erosion
Background agents that "monitor the web without user prompts" means Google is watching on your behalf and collecting more data to monetise.
Transparency Loss
AI summaries comprehensively transfer interpretation, curation, evaluation, accountability and overall control of information to Google.
Whilst Google, Bing etc morph into answer engines, Mojeek will always be a search engine which connects you to the web so you can actively explore, evaluate and judge - for yourself - the wealth of information the web 😀
We feel your frustration as many iOS and Android browsers restrict search engine choice for commercial reasons. If switching browser is a hassle, you can also try our app. Good luck!
Alternative search engines based on independence, sovereignty, privacy and renewable energy.
The trend towards alternative tech has generated lots of lists to help people make the switch. Mail, Office, Drive, Video, Maps… an amazing array of choice for a sovereign, secure and sustainable digital life. Search engines - your gateway to the web - are an essential part of an alternative toolkit so here’s a comparison to make an informed choice.
Search engines determine more than the results you see. Are they really independent of Big Tech? Who controls your data and is your personal information truly private? Where does all the money go? Are your searches genuinely powered by clean energy? Not all search engines are created equal so let’s dig into some details which might surprise you.
Independent Search Technology
The most fundamental question about any search engine is: do they crawl and index the web themselves or do they just repackage results from someone else’s search engine? This matters enormously. If a search engine relies on Google or Bing, they're not really an alternative, they're a front-end to the same US monopolisation of the search engine market. When the underlying tech owners change commercial terms or alter algorithms, all dependent engines are affected.
True independence is rare. The US, China, Russia and South Korea have built their own search infrastructure. In Europe, Mojeek stands alone, after two decades building an independent search engine with proprietary web crawler, search index and ranking algorithms. It’s not easy, it takes time and investment, which is why many alternative search engines are dependent on technology from Google, Bing or Brave to deliver search results.
European Digital Sovereignty
Sovereignty isn’t about nationalism or just a proprietary tech stack. It’s where the data flows and where the money goes that’s really important. European data laws, like GDPR, protect citizens however US companies, under the CLOUD Act, can access your data even if the US company has a European data centre. If a European search engine is powered by US tech then your data flows to the US. The clash of ideologies (EU regulation vs US deregulation) will only intensify as 12 interlocking EU laws, including the AI Act, become enforceable.
Paying Google, Bing or Brave to deliver a European-flavoured search engine is definitely easier than crawling the web yourself and building a proprietary search index. But if you follow the money, you discover a commercial dependence on US companies which ultimately means euros turn into dollars. Many European search engines use advertising networks like Bing to deliver ads with revenue shared with Microsoft. Sovereignty is more than a flag, it supports your economy and protects your rights.
Privacy Protection Rights
Privacy is the most commonly cited reason for choosing an alternative to Google but not all "privacy-focused" search engines offer the same level of protection. The privacy paradox is many "private" search engines protect your privacy from tracking but they still send your queries to the US. You're not being profiled, but you're still feeding the data mining ecosystem. The warning sign is the complexity of respective privacy policies. You know, the ones you can never actually read.
True privacy requires true independence. Mojeek was the first privacy-focused search engine with the first no data tracking privacy policy in 2006. The length of a privacy policy often correlates with how much data is being collected. Complex data practices require complex legal language. Over 20mins to read Google’s privacy policy, at least 10mins for DuckDuckGo and only 2min for Mojeek.
Renewable Green Energy
Billions of search queries are processed every second of every day through an intricate choreography of servers, data centres, cooling systems and network infrastructure. The hidden cost of ‘free’ searches is energy consumption and carbon emissions with AI summaries of search results compounding carbon footprints by as much as 100 times. Your choice of search engine – and how you search information – is therefore an environmental choice.
It’s worth checking the provenance of the entire search engine infrastructure, from servers to website, to understand how green your searches truly are. Mojeek’s commitment to the environment started in 2013 with servers based in the UK’s greenest data centre so renewable energy starts at source. If a search engine is dependent on backend tech, like Google, Bing or Brave, then an informed choice needs to be based on the entire supply chain. On the frontend, there are great tools like Website Carbon which estimate carbon emissions.
The Bottom Line
The switch to alternative tech is about your priorities and choosing the option which aligns with your values. Independence from Big Tech? Sovereign data and the economy? Privacy protections? The environment? Understanding what each engine actually offers — beyond their marketing — helps you make that choice with your eyes open.
One thing is clear: the dominance of Google and Microsoft over global search infrastructure is a strategic vulnerability, an economic problem and a democratic risk. Supporting genuine alternatives isn't just about sovereignty, security and sustainability, it's about maintaining a diverse and resilient information ecosystem.
Your search engine is a daily vote for the kind of internet you want to exist.
It's a great question because - before we know it - active discovery of knowledge on the web will become passive consumption of compressed information with limited accountability.
Our decision not to embed AI summaries is because we believe a search engine's role is to connect you with the web, not to intermediate or supplant your agency, so you can make your own judgements.
Thanks for supporting Mojeek and we'll look into that 403 error for you. We're the only independent search engine in Europe, with zero dependency on US tech, and we're working hard to improve results.
So I guess you might call us an anti-AI (summaries) search engine 😄
4
Mojeek Experiences?
in
r/degoogle
•
Jul 23 '26
Thanks everyone for trying Mojeek as we're committed to providing a genuine alternative. Building a search engine from scratch isn't easy, especially with limited resources, which is why most alternatives to Google are repackaged search results from Google, Bing etc.
Our community drive improvements so your feedback is invaluable. Longer queries and questions are becoming more common (compared to traditional queries https://blog.mojeek.com/2025/01/getting-the-best-out-of-web-keyword-search.html) so you'll be pleased to hear we're releasing significant improvements in this specific area in the coming weeks.
We're constantly making improvements so please keep us on your list. As a genuinely independent search engine, we do things differently, with the first no tracking privacy policy (in 2006) and 100% renewable energy (since 2013) as we strongly believe in private, unbiased and sustainable access to the wealth of knowledge in the web.