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When I switched to DuckDuckGo last year I read an interesting comment from someone. The basic idea was that we have all become so accustomed to Google's results
by JohnKacz 11y ago
When I switched to DuckDuckGo last year I read an interesting comment from someone. The basic idea was that we have all become so accustomed to Google's results and the manner in which we use it (i.e. the way we define our search terms) that it is actually we who must be willing to reprogram our search practices if any competitor is to have a chance to catch up.
I'm not sure if I buy that, but I do believe if we don't commit to alternatives it will be next to impossible for alternative search engines to get as good as Google with result quality and relevance. Google simply know too much about me and has performed so many more searches for a rival to outperform them. I still use DDG's 'g!' often but I feel like I'm doing my part to help DDG get better for me and other users.
- djsumdog 11y agoSame here. I say I'd use !g on duckduckgo about 1/3 of the time. If I'm getting really frustrated on a problem and am hacking away, I sometimes just default to the !g. Duckduckgo is now doing localized results (you can choose your region, so it's transparent, unlike Google's). The thing about Google is that, even if you're not signed in, it still tried to present you with personalized results (based on previous searches for that session, your IP, your region ... if you're searching from work; it probably factors that in as well). When people talk about getting to the top of Google results, my response has always been, "Well you need to be more popular and relevant. Also you may be at the top..for some people, but not everyone."
- sylvinus 11y agoI definitely share your usage of "!g", which is why Common Search already supports it ;)