Reasons to Choose Kagi Instead of Google for Web Searches

Kagi is an innovative search engine designed to “humanize the web” by providing users with an ad-free and customizable search experience. In this article, we explore the reasons for choosing Kagi over Google for web searches.

1. Completely Ad-Free

The primary advantage of Kagi compared to Google Search is its lack of advertisements. Kagi does not depend on companies purchasing ad spots on the results page for revenue. Instead, it offers a subscription service starting at $5/month, which allows for the development of user-focused tools and algorithms.

This subscription-based model enables Kagi to prioritize relevant results over ads at the top of the search page, ensuring a more efficient search experience.

2. Tweakable Site Rankings

Kagi allows users to tailor their search experience with a “site ranking” feature, enabling you to “rank up” or “rank down” sites based on relevance to your queries. This customization adjusts Kagi’s results, giving users control over their personal search algorithm. For example, users can prioritize results from smaller, independent websites often overshadowed by larger platforms.

Additionally, users can pin specific websites, ensuring that results from these sites always appear at the top. This is particularly useful for keeping track of frequent sources, such as guides from Make Tech Easier.

3. Custom Search Filters

Kagi also enhances search precision through “lenses,” which filter out irrelevant results. The platform offers several preset lenses to refine queries effectively. For instance, using the “News 360” lens for a search like “spacex nasa news” prompts Kagi to sift through major news sites to deliver the latest updates.

Moreover, Kagi permits users to create custom lenses, which is particularly beneficial for searching specific niche sites not included in default options. Personally, I developed a lens to search through Reddit and Hacker News.

4. Privacy Respecting and Does Not Log Your Queries

For individuals who value privacy, Kagi provides a transparent policy regarding data collection. Not only does it avoid logging user search queries, but it also prioritizes user privacy, ensuring that no search data is stored, which may compromise user security.

Kagi has also passed an independent security audit, verifying the security of the minimal personal data it retains.

5. Comes with a Powerful AI Service

Kagi offers a robust AI service, including a custom GPT and AI Summarizer, enabling quick access to complex queries and summaries from web pages and videos. The strict philosophy surrounding AI use ensures it only activates with specific queries, avoiding unwanted influence on your overall search experience.

This approach provides intentional and controlled access to AI, allowing users to utilize the technology effectively without it dominating their search process.

Transitioning from Google Search to Kagi has allowed me to redefine my web interaction. Despite its subscription model, Kagi is an excellent option for anyone seeking a refined search experience that prioritizes privacy. Furthermore, Kagi is not the only privacy-focused search engine available; options like SearxNG can also meet your needs.

Image credit: Angelo Pantazis via Unsplash. All alterations and screenshots by Ramces Red.

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