Apple Considered Making DuckDuckGo Default Search Engine in Safari Private Browsing Mode

[Chuckeee]

I use Google because I love the letter G. Man, just thinking about it gets me excited...

Gosh golly gee

 

[CarAnalogy]

So, because DDG proxies some queries to Bing they thought it wasn’t privacy safe….and they decided to use Google directly which is known to track everything they can? Right 🙄

DDG claims to proxy those requests so that MS and Google don’t see that it was you making them. I kind of thought that was against TOS of those companies but IANAL. Not sure how they can send you to a Google page without Google having your IP address.

 

[cocky jeremy]

There doesn't need to be a default search engine. Just let people pick the first time they use a browser. Easy enough.

 

[citysnaps]

So, because DDG proxies some queries to Bing they thought it wasn’t privacy safe….and they decided to use Google directly which is known to track everything they can? Right 🙄

No. From the story:

"If Apple seriously wanted to switch to DuckDuckGo, "I would probably insist on doing a lot more due diligence with DuckDuckGo," he said. "

 

[techpr]

I chose Google search engine for the simple reason that it is easy to use and easy on the eye. There is bloatware on the screen like there is with Bing. Another reason for using Google search engine is the name. If I am using a device/computer that is not my own and I need to search for something, it is so easy to just open the device/computer web browser, type in google.com in the address bar and there is it. Clean, simple, easy to use. DuckDuckGo is too long and I cannot be bothered to keep typing that long name into a web browsers address bar.

You can type duck.com
Has been my default search for years...

 

[unrigestered]

There doesn't need to be a default search engine. Just let people pick the first time they use a browser. Easy enough.

I actually don’t see much benefits in that and possibly just annoy more people by having to click some “stupid things“ first, as most people aware of the situation can and will change it easily anyway, maybe even before their first web search.

And those who don’t know much about search engines will choose Google anyway, as it’s quite possibly the only search engine they’ve ever heard of, or believe in it more because of that, or simply prefer the specifically tailored hits, based on their browsing habits

 

[Mac_The_Ripper]

I'm sure they considered it right up until Google said "here's 'this many' billion dollars". I use DuckDuckGo 99% of the time anymore anyway.

 

[Mac_The_Ripper]

I chose Google search engine for the simple reason that it is easy to use and easy on the eye. There is bloatware on the screen like there is with Bing. Another reason for using Google search engine is the name. If I am using a device/computer that is not my own and I need to search for something, it is so easy to just open the device/computer web browser, type in google.com in the address bar and there is it. Clean, simple, easy to use. DuckDuckGo is too long and I cannot be bothered to keep typing that long name into a web browsers address bar.

Create a bookmark for it. You do realize that this takes about 10 seconds, right? Alternatively, you can type ddg.gg which is less characters than google.com. What's your excuse now?

 

[x86dude]

I know some here like DDG, but when I used it in a serious situation (I was in hospital), results were terrible. I switched back to Google and perfect results.

 

[freediverx00]

All these search engines suck and none can credibly offer privacy. Everyone should switch to Kagi search. It’s a subscription based search engine with a focus on privacy and user experience, the opposite of Google or Bing or DuckDuckGo which relies on Bing.

 

[Bustycat]

You can type “ddg.gg” instead.

duck.com as well

 

[webkit]

I doubt these meetings/talks with DDG were that serious on Apple's part. Like the talks with Microsoft regarding Bing, part of it was probably used as leverage in negotiating with Google. It may have also been a way to try to downplay the significance of their agreement with Google, including the possibility that Google is paying them to stay out of the search engine business, in case it became a formal antitrust issue...as it now has.

 

[joshwenke]

DuckDuckGo is too long and I cannot be bothered to keep typing that long name into a web browsers address bar.

I don't disagree that DDG could get themselves some shorter domains as well.

You could use duck.com which is actually shorter than google.com

 

[Any name]

Kagi or Brave.

So if DDG isn't *that* private after all, what's a better alternative to use?

I use startpage.com I hope it’s not that bad

 

[snak-atak]

Last week the trial revealed that Microsoft considered selling its Bing search engine to Apple. Had the acquisition happened, Bing would have replaced Google as the default search engine on Apple devices.

Why on earth would Apple consider spending $millions$ for Bing which they would have to then devote resources forever on when they can keep collecting $$BILLIONS$$ from Google?? Why pay someone for a browser when a bigger someone is willing to pay you?

To me, the DDG talks were just a tool to leverage more $$$$$$$$ from Google.

 

[laptech]

People, if you are going to quote my post then please have the decency to read it properly and understand what is written because those currently quoting me are not doing so therefore they are not reading my post properly or they do not understand the English language because I clearly wrote

Another reason for using Google search engine is the name. If I am using a device/computer that is not my own and I need to search for something, it is so easy to just open the device/computer web browser, type in google.com in the address bar and there is i

It therefore means I cannot bookmark or set things to default or use links or other sorts of method's that one would associate if it was their own device/computer because I occasionally use devices/computers that are not my own and not owning them means I cannot do the things that are being suggested because I do not own them

 

[now i see it]

DDG has admirable aspirations — but their search results suck

 

[webkit]

Why on earth would Apple consider spending $millions$ for Bing which they would have to then devote resources forever on when they can keep collecting $$BILLIONS$$ from Google?? Why pay someone for a browser when a bigger someone is willing to pay you?

Millions? I assume it would've taken billions to buy Bing (which is a search engine, not browser). As far as why Apple would've done it, if they were actually serious at the time, one obvious reason is because they felt they could make even more money in the long run by owning Bing than they would from Google payments.

 

[dmr727]

DDG has admirable aspirations — but their search results suck

I used to think that too, but Google's results are so loaded with promoted and AI generated BS these days, I don't find any search method to be particularly palatable.

 

[TechieGeek]

And where did John Giannandrea work immediately before joining Apple?

Hmm, it might have been in his best financial interest to dissuade Apple from defaulting away from Google.

 

[Mac_The_Ripper]

People, if you are going to quote my post then please have the decency to read it properly and understand what is written because those currently quoting me are not doing so therefore they are not reading my post properly or they do not understand the English language because I clearly wrote



It therefore means I cannot bookmark or set things to default or use links or other sorts of method's that one would associate if it was their own device/computer because I occasionally use devices/computers that are not my own and not owning them means I cannot do the things that are being suggested because I do not own them

Then type ddg.gg into your web browser and press Enter. How many times does this have to be explained to you? Also, it's 2023. It's time to buy a laptop so you can stop going to internet cafes.

 

[klasma]

And why would they need to visit Google to begin a Google search? Would be interesting to know what percentage of smartphone users do this when wanting to do a Google search. Surely must be in the low single digits.

I was joking, but a surprising number of people actually do this, or used to do this on the desktop, when Google search is not the browser home page like they are used to.

 

[Bazza1]

I use DDG on occasion, but my default search (on any of my browsers) remains Startpage. Based in the EU, that means it's user privacy and security requirements are substantially higher than those of providers based, say, in the US. Like DDG. Search is just as good as DDG or Google, too.

 

[snak-atak]

Millions? I assume it would've taken billions to buy Bing (which is a search engine, not browser). As far as why Apple would've done it, if they were actually serious at the time, one obvious reason is because they felt they could make even more money in the long run by owning Bing than they would from Google payments.

Thanks and yes, I meant search engine and frankly I don't think Bing as a standalone product is worth billions. In any case, Apple has a much better deal right now. If they had bought Bing, they would have to hire thousands of staff to manage and maintain the service forever, they would have to build a whole new campus for the thousands of new employees, AND they would be out the billions from Google. Makes no sense to me whatsoever.

 

[trusso]

Do you know that you don’t have to type ANY search engine url in the browser bar if you set it as default engine?

Shhh. Don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story. 🙃