Written by the Startpage Team.
For many people who have decided to switch from a non-privacy respecting search engine to one that respects your privacy such as Startpage, many questions still remain about just how private those searches can be, but also how can the quality of these alternatives compete?
While there are many options when it comes to private search, it’s often found that they fall short on results, and you can read a comparison on how these privacy respecting search engines function here – https://www.startpage.com/privacy-please/privacy-advocate-articles/private-search-engine-comparison.
What sets Startpage apart from the rest is that they give you what is arguably the best search results, which is Google, but completely anonymously. Neither Startpage, Google, or even your ISP know what you’re searching for. Startpage even goes further than other privacy respecting search engines in keep you anonymous.
What’s in an IP Address?
When you visit Startpage.com your IP address is changed in their system to 0.0.0.0 while many other private search engines only mask part of your IP, usually the last three digits. While this is helpful in protecting your privacy, it does leave a small trace behind that can be pieced together. Your IP address is uniquely identifiable (learn more about what your IP Address says about you) so the less of it someone has, the better.
Don’t Be Fooled by Incognito Mode
Most browsers today come with a feature called Incognito Mode, or Private mode which allows you to open a browser than doesn’t remember your history or login information but also gives users a false sense of privacy. Everything you do online in this mode is still trackable by non-private search engines or any other site you visit. Only a search engine like Startpage offers complete privacy no matter what browser mode you are in.
Get Even More Privacy With Anonymous View
While searching in private is great, once you a click a link and leave the site, you’re now in the hands of the privacy policy and tracking apps being used by that website. Only Startpage offers Anonymous View allows you to visit a website with complete anonymity by redirecting you through a firewall meaning that your IP is masked, your browser fingerprint is hidden, and your location is hidden. Anonymous View lets your search go one step further and offers protection when you leave the search results.
Privacy Starts With You
Startpage makes searching the web, and with Anonymous View even viewing the web private. However, Startpage is just one piece of the privacy puzzle, and the most important piece of that puzzle is you. But you’re not alone, there are tutorials right on this blog that will help you better secure your iOS or Android device, choose the right browser, or make sure the settings on your Mac are properly set up for privacy.
When it comes to privacy, the more you know the better, so follow Startpage on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, and read the Privacy Please blog to continue learning more about how Startpage can help you achieve privacy online.
