Other search engines you should know about
Google is the search engine everyone knows, but that can be both a blessing and a curse for marketers. With nearly 92% of the world’s search market share, most businesses focus all their energy on Google. But with so many people doing the same thing, it’s become increasingly hard to get your website to the top of Google’s search results.
The good news? There are plenty of other search engines out there that millions of people use every day. If you’re looking to expand your reach and tap into different audiences, it’s time to consider them. Let’s dive into some of the most popular alternatives to Google and why you should care about them.
Why bother with other search engines?
Sure, Google’s the biggest player in the game, but that also means it’s crowded, making it hard to stand out. Plus, Google has been rolling out features like AI Overviews, which often give people what they’re looking for without them needing to click on your website. For marketers, this can be frustrating—you want those clicks!
This is where other search engines come in. These platforms may not be as big as Google, but they offer less competition, meaning your content has a better chance of reaching the top. Plus, each search engine has its own quirks, and some cater to specific audiences, making it easier to find people who are the perfect fit for your business.
Here’s a look at some of the top search engines outside of Google that you should know about.
1. Microsoft Bing
Bing may be second to Google, but it still has its perks. It captures around 3.23% of the market share and offers features similar to Google, like its own version of AI called Copilot, which helps summarise search results. Plus, Bing has a rewards program, meaning you can earn points for every search you make, which can be redeemed for gift cards or donations. It’s a nice little bonus that keeps people coming back.
2. Yahoo!
Yahoo! may not be the sleekest search engine out there, but with 1.16% of the global market share, it’s still popular, especially for news-heavy searches. Since Yahoo! is powered by Bing, the results are pretty similar. If you’re targeting an audience that still uses Yahoo! for its news and email services, this is a good search engine to consider.
3. Yandex
Yandex is Russia’s answer to Google, and in its home country, it actually beats Google with a whopping 71% market share. If you’re trying to reach a Russian audience, this is the search engine to focus on. Yandex has features similar to Google, like its Site Quality Index (SQI), which shows how useful your site is to users. Just be sure to optimise your content for the local market to get the best results.
4. DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is the go-to search engine for anyone who values privacy. Unlike Google, DuckDuckGo doesn’t track your search history or bombard you with targeted ads. It’s perfect for people who are tired of feeling like their every move online is being watched. And with 4.5 billion searches every month, it’s growing fast!
5. Baidu
If you want to reach people in China, Baidu is your best bet. It’s China’s biggest search engine, holding over 52% of the market. Baidu’s layout and features are a lot like Google’s, so if you’re familiar with optimising for Google, you’ll find it pretty easy to adapt your strategy for Baidu.
6. Ask.com
Remember Ask Jeeves? Well, it’s now called Ask.com, and it’s still around, focusing on answering questions directly. It’s not as popular as it used to be, but if your content is designed to provide quick, clear answers, you might find an audience here.
7. Naver
In South Korea, Naver is the search engine of choice, commanding 53% of the market. Naver does a lot more than just search—it’s packed with news, blogs, and even shopping options. If you’re targeting a South Korean audience, Naver is where you want to be.
8. Ecosia
Ecosia is a search engine that’s all about giving back. For every search you make, Ecosia uses the profits to plant trees. So far, they’ve planted over 210 million trees, making it a favourite for environmentally conscious users. If your brand has a focus on sustainability, advertising on Ecosia could help you connect with like-minded customers.
9. AOL
AOL might seem like a blast from the past, but it still has a small, loyal user base, especially in the U.S. Most of its traffic comes from people looking for news, so if your content fits into that niche, it might be worth considering.
10. Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is more of a digital library than a search engine, but it’s an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore old versions of websites, videos, and even books. If you’re into historical research or need to find something that’s no longer online, this is the place to go.
11. Yep
Yep is an AI-powered search engine launched by Ahrefs, a well-known SEO tool. What makes Yep different is its revenue-sharing model—it gives 90% of its ad revenue back to content creators. If you’re a blogger or business that relies on high-quality content, this could be a great platform to explore.
12. Brave Search
Brave Search is all about privacy. It doesn’t track users, and it offers AI-powered summaries for search results. For anyone who wants a clean, simple search experience without ads following them around, Brave is a solid choice.
13. Andi
Andi is a bit different from the other search engines on this list. It splits your screen into two sections: on one side, you get AI-generated answers, and on the other, traditional search results. It’s great for people who want quick, high-quality info without having to dig through too many links.
14. Perplexity AI
Perplexity AI is becoming really popular, especially with people who love AI-powered tools. It gives you quick, skimmable answers along with sources, so you know where the info is coming from. If you’re into cutting-edge tech, this is a fun one to try.
15. Phind.com
Phind.com is specifically built for developers, but it works well for anyone looking for detailed, technical answers. If you’re in a tech-related field, this search engine is worth a shot for finding in-depth info fast.
16. You.com
You.com lets you pick from different AI assistants depending on your needs. Whether you want to be creative, do research, or just get a quick answer, You.com’s flexible setup makes it a great tool for people who like options.
17. Komo
Komo gives you quick, AI-generated summaries of your searches and includes easy-to-read citations, so you can trust the results. It’s perfect if you like clear, accurate answers and want to know where the info is coming from.
The rise of AI and social media search
It’s not just traditional search engines that are changing—social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube are becoming search engines in their own right. In fact, nearly half of all internet users now go to social media to search for information.
And then there’s AI. Search engines like Bing and Perplexity are adding AI features to help users get more personalized and detailed answers. As these tools evolve, marketers need to keep up and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Think beyond Google
Google may still be the king of search engines, but there’s a big world of alternatives out there. By exploring different search engines, you can find new audiences and reach more people. Whether it’s through privacy-focused platforms, AI-powered tools, or niche search engines, thinking beyond Google could give your marketing strategy the boost it needs.
