Poll What is Your Favorite Search Engine?

[simmerskool]

The limitation here isn't the software, but the query strategy.

Not always. I'm using (learning) python creating a relatively simple astronomy .py -- been tweaking it with chatgpt for about 2 weeks. Whenever I want an edit I upload the py so chatgpt has it in its current session memory, and it has been helpful, but it made at least 3 mistakes today, the most surprising in the naming of variables, where it had originally named a variable, and then named that variable something else in an addition to the code, and of course py error line 402 undefined xyz. That type of mistake really surprised me. Eventually we fixed the errors, and chatgpt even admitted its errors when I pushed back. Overall, a good experience, but it makes mistakes.

 

[LinuxFan58]

No, it's not pride.
This similarity reminds me of an old movie called:

“The Wind and the Lion.”

I saw it when I was just a teenager.

"You are like the wind (AI) and I am like the lion.
You create the storm, the sand stings my eyes and the earth is scorched.
I roar and challenge you, but you don't hear me.
But there is a big difference between us: I, like the lion, must remain in my place; you, like the wind, never know where your place is."

Great movie with Sean Connery starring as the lion who kidnapped a wife of a politician (Candice Bergen), besides an epic story the scenary is also beautiful (I can conform the Sahara and the Rif mountains are that beautiful: I once drove through that region, when I was a lot younger)

Spoiler: My best adventure

 

[Divergent]

Not always. I'm using (learning) python creating a relatively simple astronomy .py -- been tweaking it with chatgpt for about 2 weeks. Whenever I want an edit I upload the py so chatgpt has it in its current session memory, and it has been helpful, but it made at least 3 mistakes today, the most surprising in the naming of variables, where it had originally named a variable, and then named that variable something else in an addition to the code, and of course py error line 402 undefined xyz. That type of mistake really surprised me. Eventually we fixed the errors, and chatgpt even admitted its errors when I pushed back. Overall, a good experience, but it makes mistakes.

Focusing on that single example misrepresents the point. The discussion was regarding the AI's reasoning and retrieval capabilities, not its ability to execute code without error. When a model makes mistakes, it is often due to context window limits or 'drift' caused by excessive token length. If these limitations aren't managed through precise prompting, errors will occur. This is a technical constraint of the tool, not a reflection of human-like cognitive error.

 

[TairikuOkami]

I tried Brave, it had more local results, but it was a mess overall and with it's constant privacy shortcomings, I am back to DDG. I miss Neeva, I would gladly pay for it.

 

[7Oz-64]

Startpage url's parameters backed-up(manual add), for both address bar (keep url settings) and welcome page and newtab.

 

[Miravi]

I tried Brave, it had more local results, but it was a mess overall and with it's constant privacy shortcomings, I am back to DDG. I miss Neeva, I would gladly pay for it.

When you claim that an open source browser recommended by PrivacyGuides.org and a search engine independently audited for security and privacy (SOC 2) every year are violating people's privacy, you should back that up with evidence.

No one needs to like Brave. However, if I repeatedly claimed that open source software was violating people's privacy without even a shred of evidence, I'm pretty sure that I would eventually be asked to support that with some credible information.

One of the requirements for a browser recommendation by Privacy Guides is open source code. After all, that's the gold standard for private software: any discerning person in the world can audit the software inside out. If it is violating privacy, it's straightforward to produce the smoking gun evidence. Do you realize how much scrutiny Brave draws by promoting itself as private software?

Consider how many people have reviewed Brave's code and run network analysis (e.g. WireShark). If there were evidence, Brave's critics would have quickly moved on from vague suspicions and years-old controversies about the revenue model. All that people would talk about is the proof of privacy violations.

If the three-month 2025 independent audit of Brave Search for security and privacy is fraudulent, then hopefully a whistleblower will step forward.

 

[rashmi]

I use DuckDuckGo. I tried Startpage but didn't like the occasional captcha, although there were far fewer, and they were less annoying than using Google when using a VPN.

 

[simmerskool]

Focusing on that single example misrepresents the point. The discussion was regarding the AI's reasoning and retrieval capabilities, not its ability to execute code without error.

I responded to your comment and quoted it >>The limitation here isn't the software, but the query strategy.<< Perhaps I "misunderstood" your use of the word "here" -- clearly reasoning and retrieval of a script it helped create and is in its session memory is both a reasoning and retrieval fallibility. (imo) I don't understand LLM processing well enough to understand its "technical constraint" but have noticed after 8pm local time, it's personalty & replies seem to change for the worse. I asked it about this and it side-steps the question. (but this discussion is perhaps off-topic -- in this thread)

 

[Sorrento]

I use DuckDuckGo. I tried Startpage but didn't like the occasional captcha, although there were far fewer, and they were less annoying than using Google when using a VPN.

I gave StartPage a good try too but had similar problems so back to DDG which works fine here - Haven’t used the G for some time as it doesn't like a VPN.

 

[LinuxFan58]

I am using Brave as browser. In my work profile I use Brave and in my surfing profile DDG. Reason for using Brave's search in my work profile is that Leo AI is a little better than DDG's AI assist. Reason for using DDG search in my surfing is that DDG AI is more on the background (seems to show old fashioned search results and had two AI options (generate short answer with AI and AI private search).

 

[lokamoka820]

It seems that users have been able to find good alternatives to the Google Chrome browser, but this is not yet the case with the Google search engine.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

I don't find it a problem these days with DuckDuckGo, sure it's not as accurate as Google but I don't go hunting for obscure low traffic websites these days.

I do like the A.I. integration into search engines, saves a ton of time not logging into ChatGPT and alike. For more advanced A.I. searches I just use Copilot now.

 

[simmerskool]

I gave StartPage a good try too but had similar problems so back to DDG which works fine here - Haven’t used the G for some time as it doesn't like a VPN.

fwiw chatgpt advised a few moths ago that startpage had better privacy than DDG, so I swtiched to startpage, I have never had a captcha

 

[LinuxFan58]

It seems that users have been able to find good alternatives to the Google Chrome browser, but this is not yet the case with the Google search engine.

Brave Search is a good alternative. I still have Google search in my favorites bar, but Google search cookie prompt is too annoying. Sadly Brave announced plans to make its browser payware for users (like me) who disable all Brave stuff. I read somewhere that Linux users might get away with it. When disabling Brave featues would become payware in Linux, I will switch to UnGoogled.

 

[piquiteco]

The rule for my search engines is as follows: Google Search, DDG, Startpage & Brave Search.

 

[Parkinsond]

It seems that users have been able to find good alternatives to the Google Chrome browser, but this is not yet the case with the Google search engine.

There are; Startpage and Ecosia gets my target earlier; Yandex is good for searching for Russian websites and piracy-related ones.

 

[TairikuOkami]

For the record, I require 3 basics from the search engine:

1. Filtering by date - Day/Month/Year - if looking for specific news or a problem, it filters it down accurately.
2. No junk - I do not want to scroll through dozens of pictures and suggestions to display 10 results.
3. No local results - most of the time, I am interested in default results, local results mess it up.

Bonus: Obviously good results and ability to disable safe filtering, it blocks "disinformation".

Bing fails all of those mentioned, it displays local results, even when it is set to international. DDG displays some local results based on my IP, but it generally ignores them.

DDG - 6 results on the first screen (2 local) vs only 2 results in Bing, because of junk, both local.



When I enable local results, DDG is precise, all results from my city, Bing as well, but again DDG shows 6 results, Bing only 2.
DDG can be easily switched, In Bing I have to go through settings to change location, changing language does nothing.



So this is pretty much basics of my search testing. When something claims a private search and it throws local results at me, it throws me off.



For example when I search RAM, I want to display specs, manufacturers, not to display results of local shops selling RAM and that is exactly, what they are doing by default.

 

[lokamoka820]

Brave Search is a good alternative. I still have Google search in my favorites bar, but Google search cookie prompt is too annoying. Sadly Brave announced plans to make its browser payware for users (like me) who disable all Brave stuff. I read somewhere that Linux users might get away with it. When disabling Brave featues would become payware in Linux, I will switch to UnGoogled.

I had just started testing Brave browser and its search engine again, and this is sad news. I think I'll try Vivaldi browser instead, as it uses my favorite search engine, "startpage," as its default search engine.

 

[Parkinsond]

I think I'll try Vivaldi browser instead, as it uses my favorite search engine, "startpage," as its default search engine.

Why not to set Startpage as the default search engine in Edge?

 

[lokamoka820]

Why not to set Startpage as the default search engine in Edge?

I don't trust Edge as my everyday browser, and I prefer EU products over US products.