#Startpage

[nists]

now that google has an AI overview for most web searches that needlessly harms the environment, i've switched to using startpage.com as my search engine. it's based on google but simpler, and very privacy oriented. one can get an addon for Firefox that inserts it as default, and i see there is also a mobile app.

edit: i have been informed that duckduckgo may also be a decent alternative, tho one has to manually turn AI assist off. it is also integrated into Firefox without the need for addon.

[nimbergarden]

FTU vanity browser & search engine userboxes by me.

[a-lonely-dunedain]

so I finally started getting AI """summary""" slop search results from Google and the vert next thing I searched was Startpage and so far it's been 1000000x better. I can look for a product and actually find relevant search results instead of the same 20 amazon listings (even though I specifically filtered amazon out of my results). the UI/lack of autofill takes a little getting used to after having used google for so long, but honestly I'm totally fine with that if it means I never have to deal with google searches again

[ibuilder]

A Guide for Staying Private Online: Unlocking the Power of ProtonVPN/ProtonMail, Startpage, Threema, and More

A Guide for Staying Private Online: Unlocking the Power of ProtonVPN/ProtonMail, Startpage, Threema, and More

Introduction Protecting online privacy has never been more crucial in an increasingly connected world. With the growing prevalence of data breaches and intrusive surveillance, it’s essential to take proactive steps to maintain digital privacy. This guide will take you through crucial tools such as ProtonVPN/ProtonMail, Startpage, and Threema, explaining their functionality and how they protect…

[aldmerisorcery]

The computer used to do something very basic & helpful...except when CLI was the norm, dialup made even accessing the Internet a painful experience and then the cornering of most web traffic by the same 4 social media sites & Google led to the enshittification we're all complaining about.

With AI and corporate dominance the Internet is now worse than ever. But it's also easier to fight back and circumvent than ever. You just need to change your own behaviour and habits. "But I don't want to do that, using another browser or search engine is way too much effort". This kind of lazy conservatism is why we are where we are. There was a time when users embraced change and did it frequently, the search engine wars in the 90's were wild.

"But people work a 9-5 and don't have time to change anything. I want to have my cake and eat it too". OK, have fun with the fruitless exercise of trying to come up with new ways to search queries that don't result in Google's AI slop. You don't need a computer science degree from MIT to take responsibility for aspects of your own online experience, everything has an idiot-proof GUI now.

Here's an alternative frontend for Google. It's European, privacy-focused and doesn't include trackers and AI slop: https://www.startpage.com/

Here's an alternative browser to Google Chrome, it's privacy-focused and comes with Ublock Origin already installed. Adjusting it is literally clicking a fucking slider on & off: https://librewolf.net/

And if anyone wants a VPN here's a fairly decent free one that abides by Switzerland's strict privacy laws. It comes with an email account and encrypted cloud storage too: https://proton.me/

See, look how much effort this is...

[goodusernamepending]

For anyone who’s sick of Google and how bad it’s gotten, I’ve been hunting for a good alternative for a while and I think the one I’m going to stick with is Startpage. It has a free mobile browser app and it works really well as a search engine. I also looked up reviews on tech sites and they say it’s really private.

Considering my last attempt was Mojeek which is great privacy wise but had I some difficulties searching with, this is a real improvement

Don’t know if I’m going to switch on my computer too because I’m currently using Ecosia on that but I’m glad I’m Google free now (except for my old gmail accounts but maybe some day I’ll swap them out)

[spotlightstory]

Try Other Search Engines

Wired 2024 - It's The End of Google Search As We Know It

"...the company’s core product is getting reorganized, more personalized, and much more summarized by AI." Prioritizing ads, AI generated short answers and the 'ol data tracking.

DuckDuckGo

Free. Fast. Private. DuckDuckGo's powerful tracker blocking, in our browser and extension, stops trackers and creepy ads before they even load, evading hidden data collectors and speeding up websites.

Startpage

Startpage’s search engine and Anonymous View feature are free and simple ways to take control of your online privacy. We will never save or sell your search history.

NordVPN List of Best Private Search Engines for Secure Browsing

[phonemantra-blog]

Google's I/O 2024 introduced AI Overviews, a feature displaying AI-generated summaries for specific search queries. Replacing the prior Search Labs experiment (SGE), AI Overviews aim to enhance search results with concise, informative snippets. However, some users find these summaries intrusive or inaccurate. This article explores the current state of AI Overviews and offers workarounds to minimize their presence in your search results. AI Overviews in Google Search Understanding AI Overviews in Google Search AI Overviews leverage artificial intelligence to provide short summaries alongside traditional search results. These summaries aim to answer your query directly, potentially saving you time sifting through individual links. For instance, searching for the "life cycle of a butterfly" might display an AI Overview summarizing the various stages, from caterpillar to pupa to butterfly. Benefits of AI Overviews Convenience: AI Overviews offer a quick response to your query, potentially saving time spent browsing multiple websites. Accessibility: The summaries can be helpful for users seeking a concise answer, particularly for factual queries. Drawbacks of AI Overviews Accuracy Concerns: As a new technology, AI-generated summaries may contain inaccuracies or rely on unreliable sources. Users should verify information through traditional search results. Limited Control: Currently, there's no direct way to disable AI Overviews entirely. Workarounds to Minimize AI Overviews While a complete shut-off isn't available, here are strategies to minimize AI Overviews: Use the "Web" Filter: Google Search offers a "Web" filter located at the top of the results page. Selecting this filter displays only traditional website links, bypassing AI Overviews. Alternative Browsing Methods DuckDuckGo: This privacy-focused search engine doesn't utilize AI summaries, offering a purely link-based search experience. Startpage: Anonymized Google Search results, Startpage removes personalized elements and AI Overviews while retaining the core Google search functionality. The Future of AI Overviews in Google Search Google is still developing AI Overviews, and its future remains uncertain. Here are some potential scenarios: Improved Accuracy: As AI technology matures, summaries may become more reliable and trustworthy. Customization Options: Google might introduce user controls to adjust the prominence or disable AI Overviews entirely. Wider Rollout: AI Overviews are currently limited to specific regions. They may become available globally in the future. Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Can I completely disable AI Overviews? A: Unfortunately, there's no current method to entirely disable AI Overviews. However, using the "Web" filter or alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo can minimize their presence. Q: Are AI Overviews reliable? A: As a new technology, AI Overviews may contain inaccuracies. It's essential to verify information through traditional search results and reputable sources. Q: Will AI Overviews become more prominent in the future? A: It's likely. Google is likely to refine AI Overviews and potentially offer users more control over their experience.

[guzhufuren]

so i'm beefing it out with our internet providing company right? cause the prices are fuckass insane, but the internet connection works terribly. a worker came today to check the router and do a few operations that could help fix the issues, and at one point he asked for my phone and to open google search engine on it so he can find the usual website for checking internet speed on a device. well thank god i live in a country where being fluent in english is a rarity rather than common thing because

this was what he saw when he clicked on the search bar

[brandinotbroke]

oh damn, I just found Good, which is an EU-hosted search engine and it gives me the exact same results as Google

[taxidermizing]

duckduckgo has started shoving ai into every aspect of the search engine. the internet keeps getting worse and worse I have to find alternatives to everything every few days.

[razielim]

on top of everything else that's fucked up with google search, it now also is putting me in a time-out and demands captchas if i open too many tabs while searching for images? and sometimes refuses to allow me to continue even then?

i literally only still use google search for one thing and one thing only - art ref - because its results can sometimes be marginally better than those served by startpage.com. just marginally enough to make it worth it.

but...

lol this is quickly destroying any upside to switching to google for ref.

[shug-buglas]

pet peeve of the year is whenever someone attempts to back themselves up in an argument by posting a screenshot of google's ai response. like you couldn't take two seconds to scroll past the garbled horseshit that melts icecaps to tell you to eat glue and get a real source? come the fuck on

[thirteens-earring]

google search “shampoo for when you don’t want to completely strip your semipermanent dye but if you don’t use head and shoulders at least twice a week your entire scalp will make a run for it. reddit”

[a-shrieking-cloud-of-bats]

an added benefit of startpage other then it being a search engine that attempts to scrape the AI generated SEO shit is that it gives you related searches and since there's no algorithm it's often just random shit like this

[necronatural]

using magical cure love shot to test the efficacy of new search engines