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DuckDuckGo: Meet the Privacy-Focused Rival to Google Search

What is DuckDuckGo, and how does it work? Here’s everything to know about the privacy-minded search engine.

Online trackers can be annoying. You search for a product or click on an advertisement one time, and then ads for that product seem to follow you to the ends of the internet, even across devices. Sometimes, you just want a little privacy in your browsing. Enter DuckDuckGo, a search engine that pledges to keep your search activity anonymous and not track you online. 

There are other private browsers, such as Brave and the Mullvad Browser, that block others from monitoring your online activity. But DuckDuckGo — which has spent heavily on an advertising campaign — sees itself as a direct competitor to Google Search, complete with a mobile app and extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari and other browsers, as well as a Mac browser in public beta. 

After major incidents like the Cambridge Analytica scandal, people have become more aware of how much personal information is available to tech companies and advertisers — and are opting out of being tracked when they can. While it doesn’t track users, DuckDuckGo’s app was downloaded more than 50 million times between July 2020 and June 2021 — more than all other years combined since its 2008 launch. 

Here’s what you need to know about DuckDuckGo and how it tries to keep your searches more secure.

What is DuckDuckGo? 

DuckDuckGo is a search engine that offers a mobile browser app and a desktop extension, both aimed at allowing you to browse the internet without companies gobbling up your personal data. It promises to keep your searches private, anonymous and offers built-in tracker blocking, so the sites you visit have a harder time collecting information about you. 

Read more: Best VPNs of 2023

How does DuckDuckGo work?

For starters, DuckDuckGo does not track searches made through its browser extension or mobile app. Other browsers, including Chrome, allow you to use private or incognito windows that don’t track your search history, but their default windows do. (That’s the basis of every “embarrassing search history” joke.) Instead of making you navigate to a different version of its app, DuckDuckGo never tracks your search history.

Searches made through DuckDuckGo also automatically connect you to the encrypted versions of websites wherever possible, making it harder for anyone else to see what you’re looking at online. This is another scenario where both options (encrypted and unencrypted) exist on other search engines, but the default isn’t always the privacy-friendly option. DuckDuckGo saves you the extra steps of manually navigating to encrypted connections.

DuckDuckGo was criticized in May 2022 when researchers discovered some Microsoft tracking scripts while using DuckDuckGo’s browsers. The presence of Microsoft trackers seemed to fly in the face of the search engine’s privacy promise, and DuckDuckGo’s founder and CEO clarified on Reddit that the company was “currently contractually restricted by Microsoft” from stopping Microsoft scripts from completely loading. This is because the company uses Microsoft’s Bing to power its search results. The company followed up in August, however, by announcing that it would further restrict Microsoft trackers in its browsers.

However, DuckDuckGo remains ahead of other popular privacy options when it comes to blocking tracking data, and the company has clarified its app store descriptions to better clarify limitations in its privacy protections. DuckDuckGo had also previously disclosed its partnership with Microsoft, and its CEO said in the Reddit post that the company is working to get that restriction changed.

DuckDuckGo also actively blocks external trackers from following you around online. For a more detailed explanation of DuckDuckGo’s privacy features, check out DuckDuckGo’s blog. 

DuckDuckGo search pageDuckDuckGo search page

The DuckDuckGo search engine emphasizes privacy.

Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

How is DuckDuckGo different from Google Search? What about Incognito mode and private browsing?

DuckDuckGo essentially takes the opposite approach compared to other big tech companies like Google and Facebook, which have traditionally made money by targeting ads based on your browsing history and personal data. While Google has said it’s going to stop this practice, the platform still collects a ton of data about you, including your location and search activity — yes, even in incognito mode. 

Incognito mode simply deletes information related to your browsing session from your computer: your history, cookies and any info you’ve entered into fields. Notably, it only does that after you end your session by closing out all your tabs. So if you leave your incognito tabs open for hours or days at a time, that information will still build up. And no matter what, Google can save your searches — and companies, internet service providers and governments can still track you across the internet, even when you’re using incognito mode.

DuckDuckGo is different because it doesn’t store your browsing data at all, and it blocks trackers while you’re browsing. 

A blocked tracking notification on DuckDuckGoA blocked tracking notification on DuckDuckGo

When you first use the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser, the app will walk you through the different ways it protects your privacy.

Screenshot from Adam Benjamin/CNET

If it isn’t targeting ads, how does DuckDuckGo make money?

DuckDuckGo still makes money from advertising — it just doesn’t use targeted ads. The search engine shows you ads based on the keywords you search for, which aren’t connected to your personal data like your browsing or purchase history. Essentially, you’ll only see ads for whatever you’re currently searching for, not the weird product your friend sent you a link to last week that you now can’t get away from. 

How can I use DuckDuckGo?

On mobile devices, simply open your app store and search for “DuckDuckGo.” You’ll be able to download the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser app and use it the same way you’d use Chrome or Safari. At the bottom center of your app, you’ll see a fire icon, which you can press at any time to close all your tabs and clear all personal data.

On desktop, go to duckduckgo.com, where you’ll see a button to add DuckDuckGo to your browser. On Chrome, you’ll be directed to the Chrome webstore page to download the extension for free. On Safari, you’ll be instructed on how to set DuckDuckGo as your default search engine or to manually activate a search using DuckDuckGo. 

For more about online privacy, check out the five reasons to ditch Google for DuckDuckGo, what to know about DuckDuckGo’s free AI feature DuckAssist and how DuckDuckGo’s app tracking protection beta is available to Android users.

Technologies

Where to find some of the highest CD rates heading into September

Annual percentage yields on certificates of deposit are looking attractive as fall begins next month.

August has been a solid month for stocks, but investors hoping to stash some cash in the fall can still be paid well for using certificates of deposit. Savers are keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve as its Sept. 15-16 meeting approaches. Fed funds futures trading suggests a roughly 65% likelihood the central bank will raise its benchmark lending a quarter percentage point, to a range of 3.75% to 4%. Speaking in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late last week, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh highlighted his worries about stubborn inflation . He noted that “while this summer’s [inflation] readings were better than expected, they do not tell me that underlying trends have meaningfully improved.” Indeed, the July reading of the personal consumption expenditures price index rose at an annual rate of 3.7%, topping the Dow Jones consensus by 0.1 percentage point, and far above the central bank’s 2% inflation target. While higher rates are unwelcome for borrowers, they’re a great development for savers who can capture higher yields on products such as certificates of deposit. Several banks, for example, continue to aggressively price their CDs and offer attractive yields as they compete for deposits. Latest increase Just last week, Sallie Mae lifted the annual percentage yield on its one-year CD by five basis points to 4.2%. The increase lifts Sallie Mae’s one-year CD rate some 25 basis points above the peer median APY of 3.95%, according to Vincent Caintic, analyst at BTIG. One basis point equals 1/100th of a percent, or 0.01%. Other financial services firms also continue to offer compelling rates on their one-year CDs. Popular Direct pays an APY of 4.25% on its 12-month CD, as of Monday afternoon, while CIBC touts a 4.15% yield. Savers can also find attractive rates if they’re willing to look outside the 12-month term. Synchrony Financial offers a 4.3% APY for a 16-month CD, while Marcus by Goldman Sachs has a similar rate on its 18-month instrument. Happen Bank has an 11-month CD with a 4.2% APY. If you’re thinking of getting into a CD, be sure to weigh your time horizon and liquidity needs. “Breaking” a CD before maturity carries a penalty of forfeited interest. Savers should also be aware of when their CD is about to expire, as their banks may automatically put them into a renewal CD at a lower rate.

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Technologies

Where to find some of the highest CD rates heading into September

With the Federal Reserve’s September meeting approaching, several banks continue offering competitive CD yields as inflation remains stubborn. Savers can still find attractive rates on certificates of deposit, though they should be mindful of timing and liquidity needs.

August has been a solid month for stocks, but investors hoping to stash some cash in the fall can still be paid well for using certificates of deposit. Savers are keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve as its Sept. 15-16 meeting approaches. Fed funds futures trading suggests a roughly 65% likelihood the central bank will raise its benchmark lending a quarter percentage point, to a range of 3.75% to 4%. Speaking in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late last week, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh highlighted his worries about stubborn inflation . He noted that “while this summer’s [inflation] readings were better than expected, they do not tell me that underlying trends have meaningfully improved.” Indeed, the July reading of the personal consumption expenditures price index rose at an annual rate of 3.7%, topping the Dow Jones consensus by 0.1 percentage point, and far above the central bank’s 2% inflation target. While higher rates are unwelcome for borrowers, they’re a great development for savers who can capture higher yields on products such as certificates of deposit. Several banks, for example, continue to aggressively price their CDs and offer attractive yields as they compete for deposits. Latest increase Just last week, Sallie Mae lifted the annual percentage yield on its one-year CD by five basis points to 4.2%. The increase lifts Sallie Mae’s one-year CD rate some 25 basis points above the peer median APY of 3.95%, according to Vincent Caintic, analyst at BTIG. One basis point equals 1/100th of a percent, or 0.01%. Other financial services firms also continue to offer compelling rates on their one-year CDs. Popular Direct pays an APY of 4.25% on its 12-month CD, as of Monday afternoon, while CIBC touts a 4.15% yield. Savers can also find attractive rates if they’re willing to look outside the 12-month term. Synchrony Financial offers a 4.3% APY for a 16-month CD, while Marcus by Goldman Sachs has a similar rate on its 18-month instrument. Happen Bank has an 11-month CD with a 4.2% APY. If you’re thinking of getting into a CD, be sure to weigh your time horizon and liquidity needs. “Breaking” a CD before maturity carries a penalty of forfeited interest. Savers should also be aware of when their CD is about to expire, as their banks may automatically put them into a renewal CD at a lower rate.

This site is now part of Versant. By continuing to use this service, you agree to our Terms. You also acknowledge that our updated Privacy Policy applies, including to your existing data. For details on your data rights, click here.

On this service, we and our vendors use cookies and other tools (“Cookies”) to store and access information on your device, such as device identifiers, IP address, and your browser type. You can access a list of all our potential 1015 vendors by selecting “IAB and Google Vendors,” although we may work with only a small selection of these on this service. Your data may be used to save and communicate your privacy choices; ensure security, prevent fraud, and debug our products and services; personalize advertising and content; for advertising and content measurement; to conduct audience research and services development; so we can improve our services and develop new ones; to match and combine offline data with your online activity; and for social features. We may share this data with select vendors with your consent.

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Kalshi permanently bans former GOP Rep. George Santos over illegal trading

Former GOP Rep. George Santos, of New York, has drawn fire for allegedly trading on whether he would attend this year’s State of the Union address.

The prediction market platform Kalshi announced on Monday it has permanently banned former Republican Rep. George Santos and fined him $71,356 for allegedly using the app to trade on his own attendance at this year’s State of the Union address.

It’s the first ban of its kind on the platform, the company confirmed on Monday.

In the weeks leading up to President Donald Trump’s speech in February, Santos, who represented New York’s 3rd Congressional District from January 2023 until his expulsion from Congress later that same year, allegedly made more than $17,000 by betting on whether he would attend.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Santos “began making a series of public statements regarding his attendance at the event in an attempt to influence the price of Yes and No contracts, respectively. Some of these included false or misleading statements,” according to a Kalshi announcement of the disciplinary action, released Monday. Those actions violated the company’s rules on trading on non-public information, Kalshi said.

In one X post from days before Trump’s address, Santos said: “I’m going to be there for the State of Union in the gallery, guys.” On the day of the State of the Union, Santos posted he was watching from the airport.

Santos shot back at Kalshi on Monday in a post to X.

“Hey @Kalshi thanks for the lifetime ban from your gambling platform. Let’s see how much longer you guys are around for,” the former lawmaker wrote, ending the post with a “kiss mark” emoji.

Kalshi’s disciplinary action is not the first time Santos has drawn fire for the incident.

After Kalshi detected his trades and referred him to federal investigators, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in July ordered Santos to pay $35,000 for trading on State of the Union attendance. The federal regulator also banned Santos from trading for three years. Santos at the time shared a statement from his lawyer saying he had settled without admitting to any of the CFTC’s findings.

In June, amid the federal investigation, Polymarket, a rival prediction market platform, ended its paid relationship with Santos, who had been working as an online influencer for the company.

Before Santos was sworn into office in 2023, doubts about his biography had emerged. His time in Congress was punctuated by a House Ethics Committee investigation that found “substantial evidence of wrongdoing.” He became the first member of the House to be expelled in more than 20 years.

Santos had also been sentenced to 87 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, though President Donald Trump commuted his sentence last fall.

Kalshi also announced settlements on Monday with three political candidates who traded on contracts related to their candidacies: a governor candidate in California, another gubernatorial hopeful in Maine, and a congressional candidate in North Carolina. All have to pay penalties and are banned from Kalshi for three years, but the company said all three complied with the investigations, unlike Santos.

While the candidates for California and Maine governor lost their races, Laurie Buckhout is the Republican nominee for the battleground North Carolina 1st Congressional District, where she faces Democratic incumbent Rep. Don Davis. Buckhout will have to pay a penalty of just under $2,600 for her trades.

“I bet on myself. Literally,” Buckhout said in a statement. “It was a dumb mistake, and as soon as I learned there was an issue, I worked to make it right. Safe to say my career as a Kalshi trader was short-lived.”

— CNBC’s Davis Giangiulio contributed reporting

Disclosure: CNBC and Kalshi have a commercial relationship that includes customer acquisition and a minority investment.

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