Hey everyone! I'm a high school student who spends a lot of time on my computer, and I've recently dove into Linux to boost my privacy and minimize telemetry. However, I'm finding it tough to completely move away from Google and Microsoft since they offer so many features that are hard to replace. I've been trying alternatives like Brave Search and Startpage for Google Search, but honestly, they don't stack up in terms of features or search results. I don't want to just give in and hand over my data. I'm curious if there's a way I can starve Google of my data while still using their services, or if there's a free, open-source alternative that's genuinely better. I currently use Brave browser (may switch to Librewolf) alongside uBlock Origin and some basic privacy extensions. Any tips or solutions out there?
5 Answers
I currently use Brave Search on the Zen browser, which is based on Firefox. It’s pretty decent and respects your data privacy. I’ll admit that it's not quite as good as Google, but it’s definitely my go-to for now.
Just curious, what exactly are you finding that you miss about Google? I've managed to navigate life without any of their products except a short stint with their search engine and Android.
If you're serious about switching from Google, check out PewDiePie’s video where he talks about moving everything away from Google and how he did it. It's called "I'm DONE with Google" and offers some practical insights on making that transition smoother.
I've been using DuckDuckGo as a Google search alternative, and it's been pretty solid for me! While you can definitely improve your privacy and limit tracking, you might lose some features. Honestly, what you’ve got with Brave and your current setup sounds sufficient for most privacy needs.
Have you tried Searxng? It takes a bit to find the right server and set it up as your main search engine, but it aggregates results from various sources, including Google. It might be slower, but it has its unique features, and it's a nice touch to get some of the info boxes Google used to have.
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