Do you use the DuckDuckGo search engine?

[MichaelCorfman]

The DuckDuckGo search engine celebrates it's 14 year anniversary this month. As a privacy-oriented search engine, it does not retain any personally identifying information, and specifically does not retain IP address information about users.

As reported on January 13th on Search Engine Land, DuckDuckGo passes 100 billion searches. You can see search traffic growth on the site on the following page:

duckduckgo.com/traffic

I've also noticed that DuckDuckGo is becoming more visible in Google Analytics reports. In four sites I checked today, ranking search engines by traffic referred, the same rankings were present all all of the sites:

1) Google
2) Bing
3) Yahoo
4) DuckDuckGo

Not surprisingly, Google referrals swamped all of the other search engines. But on one site I checked, Yahoo beat out DuckDuckGo by only one referral, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them pass Yahoo as a referral source some sites on a regular basis pretty soon, given their rate of their growth.

For this week's poll, I ask you to share the extent to which you use DuckDuckGo as a search engine. And I invite you to share your thoughts about DuckDuckGo in a post, and how it ranks relative to other search engines in traffic referrals.

Michael

[CasinoVIPOffers]

First time hearing about this search engine.

[Anthony]

I have been using DuckDuckGo for years. It is an adequate search engine.

[universal4]

I use duck once in a while, but I feel it does a less than adequate job for some searches, especially when I am looking for solutions to tech related issues.

IMO, in it's basic form, it is not as private as everyone thinks, and it's biggest strides are the "reduction of advertiser tracking".

Rick
Universal4

[CasinosBroker]

I'm using it as default search engine on Firefox browser, because I care for my privacy.

But I'm having difficulty finding results and answers to searches on specific topics - when I find myself in such position, I switch the search to big G using the "!G" search command.

Example of "!G" search command on DuckDuckGo.com:

best casinos in Madrid !G

Notice the !G at the end.



Edit: More info about Bangs can be found here:

https://duckduckgo.com/bang

[Randy Ray]

I like DuckDuckGo a lot, but I still spend most of my time in Google. I suspect that people who know about DuckDuckGo feel the same way, but I also suspect a lot of people have never heard of it.

I, too, have noticed that my search referrals from DuckDuckGo have been growing over the last couple of years. Gradually, though.

[chaumi]

Highlight of the week to see your name pop up, Randy.

[Doolally]

I use it most of the time now. It's slightly different to Google but if you persevere it does a good job.

[casinoportal]

I have heard of DuckDuckGo but have never used it before. I have just done a couple of searches and it found what I was looking for, also my site seems to rank quite well in it.

[BetSmartUK]

I know if you run Bing Ads you can choose to display on DuckDuckGo as well

[golfbettingsystem]

I have used DDG a few times, mainly when there was noise around their product. Seemed fairly good to me.

Unless I engage my brain though my default is to use google, force of habit.

[BCGame Affiliates]

I have never heard about it, but now I will go check it out!

[xecutable]

Have tried it numerous times, and have stopped using it numerous times. I can't really tell what it is. Is it the UI or the search results, but I seem to be either lots or overwhelmed with information and I can't find what I am looking for. Could be that I'm just visually used to Google and change is uncomfortable, especially when you are in a hurry.

I wish there was a Google competitor, a real one.

[Dsquared]

Can't say I've ever used it

[PROFRBcom]

I was using it, until they started censoring their results, much like Google.

It's a shame really, now DDG = Baby Google.

[Cash Bonus]

I've hardly ever used the duckduckgo browser. It's okay, but I'm just more comfortable (and I find the UI more friendly) mainly using the google chrome browser instead.

[BSA]

I occasionally use it when I notice a client is receiving traffic from DDG in GA - Have noticed on a few occasions it's surpassed Yahoo for referral traffic.