YSK about web searching without or limited genAI footprint/user experience
YSK about web searching without or limited genAI footprint/user experience
All info pulled from here https://stopgenai.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Search-Engine-analysis-Dally.pdf
The description for each services is mostly copied verbatim, but I think this post is formatted better for anybody to just get started.
https://www.searchenginemap.com/
See where search engines feed from
Independent Indexes (no genAI user experience, no genAI footprint– hit and miss results)
https://marginalia-search.com/
Marginalia Search is a particularly unique engine. It notes in its About page that it doesn’t believeitself a full replacement for the big three but rather “complementary” to what already exists. Somegeneral queries return pretty standard gossip pages, which isn’t an experience out of the realm ofexpectation! Other results are a bit dated, but still pan out. Overall, this is a solid place to issuegeneral queries and can get you something similar to what you’re seeking.
https://rightdao.com/ (seems down)
Another engine that’s got the same sort of “browsy” approach to the internet is Right Dao. Its GeneralMission Explanation specifically takes aim at Big Tech and cites the team’s goal as a reason forbuilding their independent index. Silly searches return a lot of pages that no longer exist and somesocial media sites appear fully censored. It’s a small but strong start and probably better usedwhen you don’t have a clear direction, are wanting to learn more about a general topic, or needinformation that isn’t time or region specific
https://stract.com/ (seems defunct)
The most developed search engine on this list has got to be Stract. It focuses heavily ontransparency and its open source model, encouraging users to customize their experience on theengine. This is by far and away the most interesting non GBY search engine: it received a grant forits work towards an independent internet and has, as a result, been able to expand its servicesaccordingly. Silly searches don’t return the greatest content. I’d also note that sometimes, it seems tosimply freeze and stop returning results. There isn’t a noted rhyme or reason, and it got frustrating torepeatedly try looking things up. Nonetheless, when it’s functioning smoothly, it’s a great starting placefor queries that don’t have a narrow scope and aren’t time-sensitive (due to the fact that sometimes itsimply won’t return results).
Other independent run indexes such as Yep! seem great on the surface but spend a massive amountof resources to build their own LLMs. This is a step in the wrong direction– it’s not what users want,and it’s not how to keep the internet a free and fair space for all users equally. Some indexes could beuseful in the future but are still developing English databases, and simply won’t meet user needs. I’llinclude them in the sources for this video nonetheless for anyone interested
GBY-Tangential Searches (limited genAI user experience, minor genAI footprint)
People created an entire webpage that does a Google for you, sans the shit: udm=14. Simply set thisas your homepage and issue all your queries through the search function directly on the page. It’s aquick, easy way to see the Google you know and love without the AI slop ruining the experience
allows disallowing any AI results (pretty useless if browsing in private window, but as shared by @ep1cfac3pa1m@lemmy.world there is https://noai.duckduckgo.com/)
One bright light seems to be Mojeek. True, their team “both sides” generative AI as a whole. Butwhen it comes to search engines, they argued in just September of 2025 that Generative AI is notthe answer for search engines. Their explicit Privacy primer has a host of blog posts that discussthe dangers of the internet becoming a monoculture. They also pretty reliably return decent results foreven mundane queries ("Jason Statham height" search).
https://www.lilo.org/qui-est-lilo/
Another search engine that deserves a shout out is French-based Lilo (fed primarily by Bing). Its mainmission is focused on funding a variety of projects put forth by users. The searches initiated on Lilobuild up in the form of “water drops”, which are stored only if you choose to create an account. ThePrivacy Charter lays out exactly when and how data about you is stored. It’s quite popular in France,and well-regarded in anti-AI circles. Qwant recently purchased Lilo, though, so tread carefully in thecoming months as they likely integrate their in-house “AI solutions” to the recent acquisition.