Privacy-first search engines are becoming more popular, and DuckDuckGo stands out as one of the safest, most legitimate options. Known for blocking trackers, keeping searches private, and avoiding the data-collection practices of mainstream search engines, DuckDuckGo is designed with user privacy in mind.
But like any tool, it’s not completely foolproof. In this guide, we’ll walk you through DuckDuckGo’s top privacy features, highlight its pros and cons, and show you how pairing it with a VPN can give you even better privacy online.
Boost Your Privacy onDuckDuckGo with CyberGhost VPN
Step 1: Subscribe to CyberGhost VPN and download the app to your device.
Step 2: Connect to a server to protect your IP address and encrypt your data.
Step 3: Open DuckDuckGo and browse with enhanced privacy.
What Is DuckDuckGo?
DuckDuckGo started in 2008, built on a simple promise: your data stays yours. Created by Gabriel Weinberg, this search engine is designed to keep your information private. Unlike Google—which controls about 85% of global searches and uses personal data to fuel targeted ads—DuckDuckGo doesn’t track, store, or share what you search for. That means you get fewer ads and less interference with your privacy.
This commitment to privacy has even made DuckDuckGo the default search engine for Tor, the anonymous browsing tool. Beyond the search engine, DuckDuckGo offers a browser that blocks third-party trackers from companies like Google and Facebook. It keeps your browsing history hidden from sites you visit, enhancing your privacy across the web.
DuckDuckGo Vs. Typical Search Engines
| Feature | DuckDuckGo | Typical Search Engine |
| Data Collection | Doesn’t collect cookies, IP addresses, or search history, protecting user data. | Collects cookies, IP addresses, search history, and other data for ad targeting and personalization. |
| Tracker Blocking | Blocks third-party trackers and ads by default, including tools like the Fire Button for data clearing. | Some offer limited tracker blocking; often less aggressive or requires manual setup. |
| Privacy Controls | Blocks third-party trackers and ads by default, including tools like the Fire Button for data clearing. | Limited ‘Do Not Track’ support, if any; user control over privacy is often minimal. |
| Transparency | Privacy Grade shows tracking on each site; users can see what’s blocked. | Little transparency on tracking; users usually have no visibility into what’s collected or blocked. |
| Security Features | Implements CSP to block untrusted content, reducing exposure to threats. | Limited security features; often relies on general browser/device security settings. |
| Email Privacy | Provides @duck.com email with tracker protection before forwarding to other addresses. | No additional privacy protection for email; standard email services lack tracker removal. |
Is DuckDuckGo Safe?
Yes, DuckDuckGo is safe compared to most search engines. It doesn’t store your search history, track your activity, or collect personal information, making it a solid choice for privacy-conscious users. But like any tool, it has its limits:
1. It Can’t Block All Trackers
DuckDuckGo blocks a lot of well-known trackers, but it has limits. New trackers appear all the time, and DuckDuckGo can’t catch them all. Plus, even though DuckDuckGo doesn’t save your search history, it won’t stop tracking from your ISP, Wi-Fi provider, or other network snoops. Only a VPN can fully encrypt your data and hide your IP address, keeping your online activity secure wherever you go.
DuckDuckGo keeps your searches private, but it can’t stop network-based tracking. CyberGhost VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your data, protecting your activity from ISPs, Wi-Fi owners, and prying eyes on any network.
You Still See Plenty of Ads
DuckDuckGo serves ads based on your search terms, not your personal history. So, if you search for “laptop,” you’ll see ads related to laptops, but these ads don’t follow you around the web. DuckDuckGo’s business model relies on these contextual ads and commissions from partners if you purchase through them.
Privacy Protections Are Limited to DuckDuckGo Searches
DuckDuckGo’s privacy features only apply when you’re on its platform. When you use shortcuts like “!bang” commands to search directly on other sites (e.g., “!wikipedia” or “!google”), you’re redirected to those sites, which don’t follow DuckDuckGo’s privacy rules. For example, a “bang” search on Google is subject to Google’s tracking policies, not DuckDuckGo’s.
DuckDuckGo’s Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Prioritizes your privacy | ❌Not as convenient as other search engines like Google |
| ✅No personalized, targeted ads | ❌No personalization (can result in less relevant results) |
| ✅No filter bubble–everyone gets the same results | ❌Fewer integrated services like Google Maps. Gmail, etc |
| ✅Fun features like a rhyme generator, weather data, extra features for developers, visible social media bios, loan calculators, etc. | ❌Based in the US–can be compelled to hand over data to law enforcement agencies. DuckDuckGo says it has nothing to handover to get around this |
| ✅Simple, easy-to-use interface | ❌You’ll still see ads next to your searches, though these won’t be personalized |
| ✅Growing in popularity and improving every day | ❌Privacy concerns around !bangs and the use of search terms in URLs |
How to Use DuckDuckGo Safely
DuckDuckGo is safer than most search engines. It doesn’t keep your search history, track your activity, or collect personal data, making it a solid choice for privacy-conscious users. However, while DuckDuckGo protects your searches on its platform, it has some limitations that leave certain types of tracking and online threats unaddressed.
For instance, websites you visit can still see your IP address, which can reveal your general location. Network providers — such as your ISP or public Wi-Fi owners — can also monitor your activity unless you take extra steps. This exposure is especially risky on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals may be lurking to intercept unsecured data.
DuckDuckGo keeps your searches private, but it can’t stop network-based tracking. To secure your entire online experience, consider pairing it with a no-logs VPN like CyberGhost.
CyberGhost VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your data, keeping your activity private from ISPs, Wi-Fi owners, and any sleuths on the network. Independently audited and providing quarterly transparency reports, CyberGhost ensures your privacy is protected.
FAQ
Yes, DuckDuckGo is a trustworthy search engine for privacy-conscious users. It doesn’t collect personal data, track your search history, or store any information about your searches. DuckDuckGo is transparent about its privacy practices and operates on a straightforward promise: if you don’t actively share your data, they won’t collect it. This sets it apart from other search engines that use your data for ad targeting and personalization.
However, while DuckDuckGo itself is privacy-focused, it doesn’t protect you from all online threats. Your IP address can still be visible to websites, network providers, or anyone watching on a public Wi-Fi network. For full privacy, consider pairing DuckDuckGo with a trustworthy VPN with strong encryption like CyberGhost.
DuckDuckGo encrypts your search queries and results by default, ensuring that your interactions with their search engine are protected from eavesdropping. This encryption prevents intermediaries, such as your internet service provider (ISP), from viewing your search terms.
However, DuckDuckGo does not encrypt all your internet traffic. When you click on search results and visit external websites, the level of encryption depends on whether those sites support HTTPS. To enhance security, DuckDuckGo offers a feature called Smarter Encryption, which automatically directs you to the encrypted (HTTPS) versions of websites when available.
Yes, you can still be tracked in certain ways when using DuckDuckGo. While DuckDuckGo itself doesn’t collect or store your personal data, it doesn’t fully prevent tracking from other sources. Here’s how tracking can still happen:
1. IP Address Visibility: Websites and services you visit can see your IP address, which reveals your general location. DuckDuckGo doesn’t mask your IP, so without additional tools, this information remains accessible to the sites you interact with.
2. Network-Based Tracking: Your internet service provider (ISP), Wi-Fi network administrator, and anyone monitoring public Wi-Fi can still see your activity on the network. DuckDuckGo doesn’t encrypt all your traffic, so network providers can track which sites you visit.
3. Tracking Beyond DuckDuckGo: If you use DuckDuckGo’s “!bang” shortcuts to search directly on other sites, like Google or Wikipedia, you’ll be subject to those sites’ privacy policies. These sites may track your activity independently of DuckDuckGo’s protections.
To prevent this type of tracking, consider using a VPN like CyberGhost VPN alongside DuckDuckGo. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts all your internet traffic, making it much harder for anyone to monitor or track your activity.
No, DuckDuckGo does not hide your location. While it doesn’t track or store your personal data, your approximate location can still be inferred through your IP address, which DuckDuckGo does not mask or hide.
If you’d like to keep your location private while using DuckDuckGo, consider using a VPN. A VPN hides your IP address, which conceals your location from websites, internet service providers (ISPs), and any third parties tracking your online activity.
Leave a comment
eliot howard
Posted on 01/09/2022 at 07:41
Does DDG cost?
Ghostie
Posted on 02/09/2022 at 11:17
Hi Elliot. No, DuckDuckGo is free to use, although you may pay with your personal data. This is why it’s best to pair with a VPN. That way your data is encrypted and your real IP is masked.
gewappnet
Posted on 20/02/2022 at 18:15
Regarding ads in DDG search results: Ads are completely optional in DuckDuckGo. You can just turn them off in the settings without any restrictions.