It seems like searching for anything on Google and getting a prompt answer these days is becoming a nightmare to navigate.
It doesn’t matter what I’m trying to look up; my phone’s screen is instantly occupied by ads, AI overviews, and useless features.
After dealing with a lot of frustration with Google Search, I decided to change my entire browsing experience.
I replaced Google Search in more than one way
You’re never short of alternatives
After I realized a simple Google Search is not the experience it once was, it was time to de-Google my experience.
Google Search prefers to show ads and sponsored clutter on top of the page instead of answering the query promptly.
Do a simple Google search, and your top page will be dominated by product listings that brands aggressively advertise.
It ruined the whole experience for me, as websites with more reliable information I needed weren’t prioritized.
For example, I was looking up a guide for a game. Instead of showing me the relevant link, I was shown a product listing for the game from Japan.
On top of being bombarded with ads, Google likes to interject AI overviews that often contain inaccurate or outdated information.
Combine this experience on a smartphone screen, and all of a sudden you don’t have any real estate left. With less real estate on my screen when using Google Search, I’ve often tapped links by accident that I never intended to visit.
This would have a spiraling effect, as I would be bombarded with ads for that product on different websites for the next few days.
There’s also the question of privacy, since Google likes to build a profile for every user; it makes me feel like a product rather than a customer.
I use my phone one-handed, and the UX on Google Search is downright abysmal.
Not only do I have to navigate through ads and sponsored posts, but I also have to deal with other necessary features like the People also ask section.
No, Google, I really don’t care what other people are asking. Just give me the information I need!
There’s also the question of privacy, since Google likes to build a profile for every user; it makes me feel like a product rather than a customer.
After much frustration, it was time to cut off the noise.
The easiest way for me to circumvent Google’s practices was to switch search engines. I chose DuckDuckGo as it offered a simpler experience, the way Google Search used to be.
When I have simple queries, DuckDuckGo gives me cleaner results with links to reliable websites I can check for myself. Since there are no ads, DuckDuckGo doesn’t build a profile for users.
There are no product listings or sponsored posts to navigate around. The search engine also respects my privacy; it doesn’t store my IP address, search history, or personal details.
For once, the search engine felt useful again.
Thanks to DuckDuckGo’s privacy policies, every user gets the same search result when using the same keywords rather than being reduced to an ad profile.
Google has a habit of manipulating search results based on your ad profile, which sometimes can feel scummy.
With DuckDuckGo, I don’t have to worry about that.
DuckDuckGo offers AI features like AI Mode, but they are optional and not turned on by default.
While I admit Google has a broader index for providing information, DuckDuckGo is no slouch.
The search engine does not rely on one source and, to my surprise, uses Bing to give relevant information.
It felt like the Google Search I used in the mid-2000s, which, most of the time, is all I need today.
Don’t Forget Gemini
I will be the first one to admit that Google Search also has its advantages, especially if you are looking to buy something for the best price.
I can understand if someone is not willing to give up Google Search. In such cases, we don’t have to look beyond Google to get answers for simple queries.
When I want a quick answer, I often use the AI Mode found in the upper-left corner when using Google Search.
When I was setting up my Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage), I needed quick answers to set up networking settings, Tailscale, and Jellyfin.
I relied heavily on Google’s AI Mode and Gemini to get answers, as they are stripped of everything I complained about earlier. It pulled most of the information from XDA, and to my surprise, it wasn’t outdated.
There are no ads, sponsored clutter, or unnecessary features I have to navigate around.
In Gemini/AI Mode, I got the answer in a matter of seconds and set up my Synology faster than digging through different websites.
Word of caution, though: AI Mode and Gemini can sometimes give conflicting answers, which isn’t ideal for fact-checking.
But for basic queries, it does an excellent job.
Switching your browser might be the answer
I use better browsers than Chrome
If you still use Chrome as the main browser on your phone, you won’t escape from ads even if you switch your search engine.
Most websites use some form of advertising, and some have annoying pop-ups that I couldn’t block on Chrome.
Unlike Chrome, many alternate Android browsers have built-in ad-blocking features that you shouldn’t ignore.
Many of these browsers also respect your privacy and are based on Chromium. So I highly recommend using them if you’ve used Chrome over the years.
Browsers like Brave, Aloha, or DuckDuckGo’s browser are great alternatives, and they have desktop versions that sync effortlessly with the mobile browser.
These browsers also don’t track your browsing, which can be a godsend if you spend a lot of time browsing and looking up random things.
Browsers like Brave have their own search engines and have similar offerings like DuckDuckGo.
For Chrome users, switching to Brave is the ideal solution, as it feels right at home without all the tracking.
Since many new browsers are based on Chromium, they support transferring your bookmarks and other details from Chrome to make the switch easier.
I made the switch a long time ago and never looked back.
I don’t regret leaving Google Search behind
Leaving Google Search behind was the best decision I made when I wanted quick answers.
It’s been two years since I made the switch, and my devices no longer feel like an ad profile that Google wants to sell to. It may not be the most perfect setup, but it gets the job done.
Using an open source browser like Brave or Aloha in tandem with DuckDuckGo feels more liberating, simpler, and more efficient, like Google Search’s good old days used to be.
