new Brave Beta Search Engine mini-review

brent

I've used DDG for more than a couple years now.
But I've been using new Brave search engine for a week. They aren't really advertising it (beta) much.
Like DDG, it's just as inept for the pinpoint stuff. For instance, if I type in "review brave search engine" I will get ONE return of a brave search engine review (https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/22/braves-non-tracking-search-engine-is-now-in-beta/) and 99% of the hits are all Brave Browser reviews I did not ask for.
DDG is the same---99% wrong search results for 'review Brave search engine.'

But for normal stuff ("nfl scores" or "canon calculator batteries" or 'ernest shackleton enduarance') they are just fine.
CONS: it's not google-sharp
PROS: looks much snappier than DDG and one of the only search engines that is developing and using their own web index. -------that's got potential. Uses OpenStreet Maps for maps.

I may switch over from DDG altogether, but for now I am using them both.

I used and loathed Ecosia, Swiss Cows, Quant, and Mojeek. Absolutely in love with Metager. But all these guys scrape google, bing, each other, or searx for results.
Being part of an engine that is insisting to DIY is the appeal (that's how I found solus😉). As I said, if you are used to DDG this is similar. They say, not me, it's 100% private searching with no tracking,

jppelt

brent why did you loath Swisscows and Mojeek...both are my go to. Swisscows is great if in a public forum to prevent unexpected pop ups and Mojeek is truly independent.

I guess I need to get over myself but Brave lost me a long time ago with its BAT and some of its 'ties' when searching. Not sure I get the BAT although I have a Ledger Nano S and several currencies.

brent

jppelt me: "I used and loathed Ecosia, Swiss Cows, Quant, and Mojeek. Absolutely in love with Metager. But all these guys scrape google, bing, each other, or searx for results."

Loathed is harsh, you are right. I didn't loathe any search engine. I just didn't take to them. When it comes to design we are all Goldilocks and the porridge ("just right"). I gave everything a day or two. Swiss was better than Mojeek as I recall. I was not comfortable with all the returns I was getting for simple searches. Something you just note in your head, right or wrong.
That said, if Mojeek is truly independent like google or brave then maybe I didn't use it right via settings--I customize immediately. I'm pretty thick quite often, as in missing the obvious.
** I've said before Brave made their own bed with their reputation/public perception with pushing the bitcoin miner program and and innovative (but useless to me since I adblock) ad token programs. Once you shut all that stuff off it never adverts these programs again and begins to function like one of the best browsers I've ever used. You are right, though, public perception is a big factor in our decisions, no doubt.

jppelt

brent Mojeek is 100% independent and with its own crawler. You’ll get results without ads and you’ll be surprised at some of them. It can be jarring at first as you will not get the same finds as Bing, Google or those tied to Bing and Google in one way or the other - to include Ecosia, Qwant, and Startpage.

you are right - it’s a Goldilocks thing…just right? Depends.

brent

jppelt Will give Mojeek a another chance eventually after your vouching for it. It was 'jarring' exactly because I actually could not figure out if these were conventional or unconventional results. I was surprised, like when I used Searx. I wonder if this is the nature of an independent index maker? I wonder if things will even out that way (unusual but relevant hits) for Brave search engine?
While google did invent and exhaust the modern search, it's fascinating to see people not reinvent the wheel, but re-imagine it.

jppelt

brent I think the more people use it, the better the search engine. In the meantime, I'm finding sites I would never have found otherwise...not always for the best but love knowing that I am helping Mojeek out. Check out their "about section" They are really cool.

YuriTheHenrique

The question is, not only me, but my family now uses DDG... is it time to marry Mojeek? or just use it casually? is there any big differences?

brent

YuriTheHenrique great questions, I defer all to JP to whom i'm sure you asked. [Wanted to add personally that I started getting restless with DDG and that's the only reason I tried other engines and even wrote thread. There seems to be interesting worlds beyond it (ddg). Value is in eye of beholder and subjective, and I'm game.]

jppelt

YuriTheHenrique I would use Swisscows over DDG although many people do not like their family filter by default. I love their privacy policy I think it is better than DDG, especially if you have younger kids.

Mojeek is not ready to replace your DDG but love the independence and grassroot commitment to privacy. I love that it is a true crawler with its own engine and feel compelled to support. In the end, not sure how big a difference it makes. Maybe this is worth reading: https://restoreprivacy.com/private-search-engine/

jppelt

brent Yes, I stopped using DDG for quite some time. Final PS, Swisscows uses semantic tech that gives you fresh results every time and some interesting suggestions on the side.

YuriTheHenrique

jppelt I really like how Swisscows says they have a family filter for violence and adult content, duckduckgo has show some adult website content with the filter on.
And I don't know if it has always been this way, but there are now ads in ddg search results, mainly the first result, but still an ad.

I loved Mojeek, but as you said not ready yet.
Also, Swisscows site is not loading up here:

403 Forbidden
nginx/1.17.8

I'll try it later.

brent

jppelt yeah when I was outgrowing DDG, Metager and I got along best. I like the new Brave search, too. Will give Mojeek a day soon, and report back to you @ this thread. Appreciate your input on search engines. (I almost installed the Searx network recently but the P2P reliance gave me hesitation.)