Analyst Argues Apple Should Acquire DuckDuckGo Search Engine

[rp2011]

Is DDG using google, just scrubbing user identification?

I read that they use multiple search engines. They have relationships with most search engines to provide results but i am not sure how they go about adding privacy to the results.

 

[cansuds]

DuckDuckGo is great but still doesn't have Content Blocker for Safari iOS ....

a lot of users on twitter wanted this, but they insisted on their own browsers. lol

 

[Infinite Vortex]

The problem with any search competitor to Google, if the results aren't as consistent people will simply choose to use Google. So unless DDG can return result like Google it may well just end up being something akin to Apple Maps vs Google Maps. The worse case here is that people then start using Google as their home page and/or start using Chrome.

The vast majority of people don't care to use more than the one each engine, especially on mobile devices. So unless Apple could make DDG competitive you may well end up cementing Google's dominance in the search space even more. And they will have spent money on DDG to do that and tossed away a $7-8 billion income on top.

 

[370zulu]

... I would love Apple to get into the search as a public service because relying on only one mega-company is never a good a thing. And only a company with Apple’s resources could possibly get in the game and get any kind of traction.

Agree completely.

 

[cmaier]

No,

The article says something about it having components that really on bing? But doesn't say to what extent or specifics.

Mapping?

 

[LeeW]

Apple should not be acquiring more software when they can't manage their own properly.

 

[cmaier]

If you don‘t trust the internet. Then i wouldnt trust DDG either. I think that’s a far too much confidence in a company if your‘re already strattling the edge.
Besides DDG is just a search aggregator and not a true search engine.
Having said all that, I would love Apple to get into the search as a public service because relying on only one mega-company is never a good a thing. And only a company with Apple’s resources could possibly get in the game and get any kind of traction.

DDG hasn’t been “merely” an aggregator in a very long time. They do their own indexing now, and have for awhile.

 

[WannaGoMac]

What a stupid idea. Absolutely no synergy and would jeopardize the Google payment for making Google search default on iOS. And there are plenty of good search engines, plus MS has tried for decade plus to make money at search and has not.

Steve Jobs partially answered this about the business of internet search in his last interview on D8 in 2010 and Apple's involvement:

 

[ipedro]

Android and Google Assistant have a significant advantage over iOS and Siri in that it has access to all the knowledge on the internet through the world’s biggest search engine — that they own! — whereas Apple has to go through a number of third party partners that can’t possibly match Google.

If Siri is ever going to evolve into something truly useful, Apple will have to either acquire or build a search engine. Acquiring DuckDuckGo would give them a nice head start. Rename it Siri Search and integrate it directly into Siri in the pull down menu and everywhere else Siri exists from Apple Watch to AirPods to HomePod.

At the very least, I would hope that Apple has already built its own backup search engine in case Google does what they did with Maps and threatens to pull features to be Android exclusive in a bid to obtain iOS to Android switchers. Apple was caught flat footed with Maps, though they eventually did recover (I prefer Apple Maps now). Acquiring DuckDuckGo would be the best way to secure an upper hand should Google feel like it’s worth rolling the dice.

 

[S.B.G]

How about Apple forego having a default search engine altogether. Save a bunch of money and allow the user/device owner to choose their own search engine.

 

[weup togo]

Beancounter Tim will never part with the many billions Google bribes Apple with. Toni is insane to think that Apple, which has botched every service it has touched, could make up that revenue on its own operating a search engine.

 

[falainber]

DDG market share is about 0% (source). There must be a reason nobody (but a few Apple super fans) uses it.

 

[cmaier]

How about Apple forego having a default search engine altogether. Save a bunch of money and allow the user/device owner to choose their own search engine.

The user can choose their own search engine.

 

[loby]

Umm...Apple would not give up on making billions a year from Google as the article says JUST to help out their users in privacy.

Come on...dream. Tim's Apple is more concerned with stockholder reaction instead of taking a hit in revenue (and he should being a C.E.O.)

This is probably just an advertising article for Duckduckgo.

I WISH Apple would do this...BUT let's face reality.

To throw in my support if this article is a marketing survey, I personally use Duckduckgo and stay away from Google when possible.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I've been using DDG exclusively for a few years now and have zero complains about their search returns. Don't really trust anything google anymore.

I'm still not confident in the 'best' results of DDG, at least here in Canada.

There is so much more to a web search and results needed:
random cookies or non at all.
how can a user fully verify security with DDG searches? From the end user terminal device (iOS/iPadOS/macOS/Windows10 etc) to the link selected in the search results?

I seem to vaguely recall a very GOOD Russian search engine created by someone within Russian or of Russian citizenship heritage that was able to compete with Google head to head yet needed more funding. Does anyone know of that search engine?

Search results to lead to:
Maps opening up (even in webpage what is DDG linking to, Google Maps?)
Phone numbers to business'?

If we're not careful the WWW can be heavily circumvented in everyone's searches, essentially affecting truth, education, need to history facts, etc.

 

[jdclifford]

I've been using DDG exclusively for a few years now and have zero complains about their search returns. Don't really trust anything google anymore.

Same here. I wonder if Apple would ruin it though.

 

[Brandhouse]

Duck Duck Go, is great, BUT the search results aren't paginated which makes it a massive pain to try and go back to a spot where you thought you saw another result that you might like to navigate to.

 

[julesme]

Sure, it makes sense for Apple to own a privacy-focused search engine, but how much confidence do we have that Apple would really improve it after the acquisition, and how many years would it take for Cook's team to get it right?

Also, I get the feeling that DuckDuckGo likes being independent. Surrendering control to a global powerhouse like Apple could actually damage their brand.

All that being said, it's clear that DDG needs help (I say this as a fan and longtime user).

 

[Stella]

DDG is OK, but the search results aren't as nearly as good as Google .

When DDG doesn't bring the results I need, it's over to Google, which is unfortunately, quite often.

I'd much rather DDG not be purchased by Apple.

 

[macduke]

I've been using DDG exclusively for a few years now and have zero complains about their search returns. Don't really trust anything google anymore.

Same, but every now and then I switch to Google in a private tab to find something more specific—usually an esoteric programming question. But over time DDG has become a better search engine so I find myself doing this less. As someone with a bit of a marketing background as well, I feel like they are shooting themselves in the foot a bit with that name. It sounds like it’s for kids or not at all a serious platform.

 

[ignatius345]

Mapping?

Map searches in DDG return embedded Apple Maps.

 

[Orionfox]

Please no. DDG is the only browser that isn't completely biased in its results.

I like to occasionally get a true and unbiased response response when I use a search engine.

 

[Yojimbo007]

My vote would be... YES... but put major resources behind it to take it to the next level!

Plus Apple needs major help in their spell check, contextual word recognition and overall language AI.
The spell check and word recognition on at least Ios?iPadOS is a Jurassic disaster.. and no one is paying any attention. Mind Boggling!

 

[rp2011]

DDG hasn’t been “merely” an aggregator in a very long time. They do their own indexing now, and have for awhile.

Thanks for the correction.
And besides privacy, we need more players in this space instead of just one massive one. It’s become so important for modern life that it seems dangerous to cede to just one company. It is the portal to information and modern life with many more implcations in the years to come. A computer company like Apple not having a bigger hand in it seems negligant.

Props to DDG and Bing. That’s a massively difficult challenge to take on a company that’s become synonymous with search and generates so much profit that it can pay Apple $8 BILLION to just sit tight. Pretty sure MS loses money every single day on Bing, but i think it still adds value for MS, DDG and consumers in different ways.

 

[ConfluxNZ]

DDG is my default search engine, but I still rely on google for more specialised searches. This would be a worthy acquisition if Apple commits to upgrading DDG significantly to bring it more in line with Google’s capabilities. Otherwise I’m not entirely sure I see the point.