Major search engines collect a wide range of information about search queries and user behaviour. Depending on the service and the settings selected, this can include search and click behaviour, websites visited, app activity, location data, and device and browser information. Providers such as Google can also combine data from different services, creating an increasingly comprehensive picture of their users.
Interest is therefore growing, particularly in professional settings, in alternatives that do not create personal search profiles and seek to minimise tracking. Some of these services now combine conventional web search with optional AI features:
- DuckDuckGo: According to the US search engine, it stores neither IP addresses nor personal search histories. However, there have been exceptions for certain Microsoft trackers in its browser. A significant proportion of its search results are based on Bing. DuckDuckGo increasingly promotes an AI-free search experience, while also offering an optional AI chat service called “Duck.ai”. This can access a range of models, including GPT. The specific model used may vary depending on the feature and task.
- Ecosia: The Berlin-based search engine focuses on sustainability and operates under European data protection standards. Its search results are largely based on the Bing index. For AI summaries and its integrated chat, Ecosia uses Mistral models. According to the company, only the data required to provide the service is processed. Chat histories can be stored locally in the browser. Users can also enable a completely AI-free search mode in the settings.
- Startpage: The Netherlands-based company, which is US-owned, provides access to Google search results without passing personal data directly to Google. According to Startpage, it stores neither IP addresses nor tracking cookies. For additional anonymity, websites can be opened through a proxy feature. Its conventional search does not include AI-generated summaries. Startpage also offers a separate private AI service providing anonymised access to services such as GPT and Claude. Conversations are stored locally and are not used for tracking.
- Qwant: The French search engine positions itself as a European alternative to Google and is also used by public institutions. According to Qwant, it does not use tracking, profiling or personalised advertising and follows European data protection requirements. Its own search index is smaller than those of Google or Bing, which can mean that results are sometimes less precise or comprehensive. Qwant also offers an AI search service based on Mistral AI. An account is required, and queries are anonymised before being passed on to Mistral.
What does this mean for the use of AI in professional research?
Personalised search profiles can make research more convenient: stored interests, previous searches and conversation histories can make recurring tasks easier and allow results to be tailored more closely to the user. At the same time, there is a risk that algorithms may give greater weight to certain sources and perspectives while other relevant content receives less attention. Privacy-focused search engines can limit this profiling and personalisation, offering a way to review search results from a different perspective.
The integration of AI also introduces additional dependencies. Queries may be passed on to external model providers; depending on the service, an account may be required or histories may be stored locally or by the provider. AI-powered search therefore does not automatically offer the same level of privacy as conventional search without AI features.
By Ida Kandler