Keep in mind that people start using a new product because it solves a problem for them, in DDG's case it's privacy issues with other search engines (and appare

Keep in mind that people start using a new product because it solves a problem for them, in DDG's case it's privacy issues with other search engines (and apparently exposing yourself to information outside of your filter bubble, which I didn't think about before this thread, but could be an interesting marketing avenue for DDG employees here ;-) ). For a new product, these people are early adopters, because the product is generally still raw or rough around the edges (or in your words, inferior), but it still solves a problem that is very real for them. The big question for DDG, is can that product grow up, clean up their offering to users other than early adopters, and move into mainstream use? That's the question posed in the original article, and also the big challenge facing DDG for the future. To your point about not being interested in integrating an inferior product into your life, hoping that it improves in the future, have you ever been an early adopter for another product, or participated in a Kickstarter campaign? If so, you're helping that company improve and refine their future offerings to customers. You don't have to do it for DDG if it doesn't meet your needs, but consider this point of view when commenting on its inferiority.