I use DDG as my main search engine but I share the parent's concerns. In the end an ad-driven business model will always pit the interests of its users vs the interests of the advertisers.

Should DDG become ultra-successful, how long until they start making concessions to privacy to increase revenue and growth? After all not so long ago Google themselves were "the good guys" and we were willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Turns out that "Do No Evil" only really works until it starts clashing with "Make More Money".

Honestly I use DDG because in most cases the search results returned are more relevant. I’ll go to google if it’s something that could be explained by a YouTube video or Reddit thread or a Pinterest board, but Google really wants to push you toward the larger sites — even if the content is less relevant.

If I recall DDG doesn’t even use cookies. So they’re showing ads based solely on the search terms, which personally I’m ok with as long as it doesn’t clutter the page too much. Showing me ads when I’m in a discovery mindset is ok and is less intrusive; it’s way worse when you’re in a consumption mindset and the ads are just obnoxious (I’m looking at you, YouTube ads).

My experience with DDG has been the opposite of yours. The results some of the times are just annoying. Mostly because I want it to be good enough to replace Google with it. I click on a second page from results and it turns out to be some dead unattended page.

I gave up trying to be too optimistic about DDG and use Google with no javascript and no cookies saved on the domain in my browser.

My problem with search is a user one. Not an ethical one. When I search for something I want the best results. I don't care if some cute furry animal had to be sacrificed in the production of this utility.

Btw, DDG has a settings button hidden somewhere that allows you to tweak a few settings and save cookies if you wanted.

I had similar issues to you using ddg until about a year ago when I tried it again. the past year ddg has overall yielded a better experience than google for me, and I have been using it for 99% of my searches. I even forget I'm using ddg and not google, that's how seamless the results and quality are for me now. but when I had previously used ddg it was a nightmare, some time within the last 2 or 3 years ddg did something to serve up better result's

> Should DDG become ultra-successful, how long until they start making concessions to privacy to increase revenue and growth?

Should this happen then DDG will know better than anyone that this just puts a target on their back to be replaced by the next privacy respecting search engine, and the cycle continues afresh.

seems like they're coopting privacy awareness to advertise themselves. the site appears to be a walking talking duckduckgo ad, with just enough other content sprinkled in to seem like actual advice.

I mean it's not as nefarious as it could be since they are actually privacy focused, but this blend of advice and advertisement is rubbing me the wrong way

They speak truth to the matter and posit a better way.