Mojeek

Mojeek is a UK-based search engine founded in 2004 in Brighton, making it one of the oldest privacy-focused search engines still operating today. What makes Mojeek truly unique is that it operates its own web crawler and maintains its own search index, rather than relying on results from Google or Bing like most alternative search engines do. This independence means Mojeek delivers genuinely different search results based on its own algorithms, providing a true alternative to the dominant search paradigm.

True Search Independence

The search engine landscape is dominated by just a few indexes. Google controls approximately 90% of the global search market, and most "alternative" search engines including DuckDuckGo, Startpage, and Ecosia simply repackage Google or Bing results with privacy features added. Mojeek stands apart by building and maintaining its own index of over 5 billion web pages, crawled by its own MojeekBot crawler.

This independence has significant implications. Mojeek results are not influenced by Google's algorithms, which means you can discover content that might be buried or absent in Google searches. The company's ranking algorithm is built on principles of relevance and editorial neutrality, without the behavioral tracking and personalization that shapes results on mainstream search engines. For users who value cognitive independence and want to break free from the filter bubble, Mojeek offers a genuinely different window onto the web.

Privacy Without Compromise

Mojeek has a strict no-tracking policy that has been part of its DNA since founding. The company does not collect personal data, does not store IP addresses with searches, does not use tracking cookies, and does not build user profiles. Each search is treated independently with no connection to previous searches or browsing behavior.

Unlike some privacy search engines that strip tracking from external results, Mojeek's privacy is fundamental because it controls the entire search stack. There is no third party receiving your queries, no behind-the-scenes data sharing, and no possibility of your searches being linked back to you through external partnerships. The company is committed to these principles and has built its business model around contextual advertising that requires no user tracking.

Search Quality and Features

Mojeek's search quality has improved significantly over the years as its index has grown. While Google's index is larger and its results are often more refined for popular queries, Mojeek can surface content that Google's algorithms might overlook. For niche topics, technical queries, and less mainstream content, Mojeek can provide valuable alternative perspectives.

The search interface includes web, image, and news search. Mojeek offers various search operators for power users, including site-specific searches, date filtering, and file type filtering. The Focus feature allows users to prioritize results from specific categories of websites. While the feature set is more limited than Google's, it covers the essential search use cases effectively.

Emotional Independence and Digital Sovereignty

Mojeek represents more than just a search tool; it embodies the concept of emotional independence from Big Tech. By using a search engine that does not track, profile, or manipulate users, people can reclaim agency over their information consumption. The company actively promotes this philosophy, encouraging users to think critically about the role of search engines in shaping their worldview.

As a UK company operating under UK and EU data protection regulations, Mojeek provides a European alternative to US-dominated search. While the UK has left the EU, it maintains GDPR-equivalent data protection standards through UK GDPR. For organizations and individuals who want to reduce dependence on US tech companies, Mojeek offers a genuinely independent option built and operated in Europe.