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DuckDuckGo Hits 14M Searches in a Single Day

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Re: DuckDuckGo Hits 14M Searches in a Single Day

#81

What's interesting is that growth has accelerated since September 2016. http://apps.axibase.com/chartlab/e8635882/13/ Any good reasons behind it?

If you increase the time scale, the acceleration doesn't seem so big--it looks like there's a fairly linear trend.

What's interesting to me is that there's such a consistent drop in searches around the holidays. I'd expect some drop, but not that big, relatively speaking.

Re: DuckDuckGo Hits 14M Searches in a Single Day

#83
I've been using DDG for a couple years, not that too many people would know about it. Heh. Good enough for what I do, and having to go a few pages deep sometimes doesn't really bother me, and in fact routinely exposes me to resources that I was not aware of.

I have, and will continue to, pass good privacy practices on to others, particularly non-tech users, even though people don't always have the time for privacy discussions, they become aware of the issues.

Re: DuckDuckGo Hits 14M Searches in a Single Day

#84

I switched to DDG as my default search everywhere a few months ago, and I recommend everyone does. The results are passable and when they aren't there is always !g

I am curious why you recommend everyone else switch since you say "The results are passable." That's not exactly a ringing endorsement.

[deleted]

Re: DuckDuckGo Hits 14M Searches in a Single Day

#85
post #12

For the team here at DuckDuckGo, we were excited not only to hit 14M searches in a single day but to also cross the threshold of 10B total private searches served. Of which 4B were from last year alone. We wrote a post covering it in our newly launched blog: https://spreadprivacy.com/10-billion-fc7808c91343 It is always an amazing and humbling moment when we hit a new milestone in our metrics. Our team is so incredib…

DDG is a great success story, I wish the whole team the best.

I wonder how an exit will play out though. A big factor with DDG is user trust - that seems to limit the list potential buyers to the few that could credibly maintain that trust.

Then there is the IPO route, but that has it's own challenges. You could argue that up until now DDG has had no competition because Google doesn't think it's worth raising its hand to swat a fly. But there is no flying under the radar after an IPO. What if Google promoted a new "no track" feature which matched DDGs benefits without having to do dumb things like append query arguments, modify location, and run plugins?

You might say Google would never give up this much tracking control, but there are two caveats. First, if it's just an option buried in settings there will be limited uptake yet DDG's ability to claim differentiation would be nullified. Secondly, as DDG itself says, search can still be a great business without having to track people.

If I were lucky enough to be in DDGs position I would push for a Microsoft acquisition. MS has kept enough promises in recent years that they just may be able provide DDG users enough guarantees to maintain the trust. People have mentioned Apple but that seems like a lower probability for a variety of reasons. An MS deal would avoid the massive hassle of an IPO and enough resources to chip away at Google indefinitely without being pressured into short term decisions.

For now I'm just glad DDG is here trying to do some good.

Re: DuckDuckGo Hits 14M Searches in a Single Day

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suspect the main reason for Google's stranglehold is that it's usually set up as the default search engine for many web browsers (both for desktop and mobile) and the vast majority of users don't change that. In spite of its good growth rate, DDG will have to change tack if it wants to make the leap to the next stage. *FYI, DDG is my default search engine.

This seems right. I could imagine Apple leaving some money on the table to avoid Google search on the iPhone, if people wouldn't perceive DDG as inferior.

[deleted]

Re: DuckDuckGo Hits 14M Searches in a Single Day

#87
post #12

For the team here at DuckDuckGo, we were excited not only to hit 14M searches in a single day but to also cross the threshold of 10B total private searches served. Of which 4B were from last year alone. We wrote a post covering it in our newly launched blog: https://spreadprivacy.com/10-billion-fc7808c91343 It is always an amazing and humbling moment when we hit a new milestone in our metrics. Our team is so incredib…

DDG is a great success story, I wish the whole team the best. I wonder how an exit will play out though. A big factor with DDG is user trust - that seems to limit the list potential buyers to the few that could credibly maintain that trust. Then there is the IPO route, but that has it's own challenges. You could argue that up until now DDG has had no competition because Google doesn't think it's worth raising its han…

Why would DuckDuckGo need to exit? Are they losing money?

Re: DuckDuckGo Hits 14M Searches in a Single Day

#88
post #12

For the team here at DuckDuckGo, we were excited not only to hit 14M searches in a single day but to also cross the threshold of 10B total private searches served. Of which 4B were from last year alone. We wrote a post covering it in our newly launched blog: https://spreadprivacy.com/10-billion-fc7808c91343 It is always an amazing and humbling moment when we hit a new milestone in our metrics. Our team is so incredib…

We love DDG, and use them for search on our site because privacy and DNT are so important to us.
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