When most people think about search engines, it’s Google that comes instantly to mind. In fact, so much so that ‘Google’ has become an oft-used verb. “Let me Google that for you” or “I’m going to Google it”, are phrases that you might expect to hear.
However, are people always talking about using Google’s search engine? Though we use Google as a verb, where else are we searching for answers?
Bing
Bing is perhaps the most commonly used search engine, Google aside. Nonetheless, even Google’s biggest competitor can’t compete with its market share.
Many studies show that Google has a market share of around 65%. According to StatCounter, Google’s market share is more than 90%. Interestingly, most Bing users (and there are nowhere near as many as Google) are US-based. In the UK, Google is significantly more popular.
Yahoo!
A long time ago, everyone used ‘Yahoo!’. This search engine was popular before many had even heard of Google. It was the most popular web browser start page, bringing essential news updates accompanied by its live messenger.
Now, Yahoo! is a news site more than a search engine alternative. Its remaining search engine, still used by some, is powered by Bing’s search algorithms.
DuckDuckGo
Increasing in popularity, DuckDuckGo is amongst the more successful search engine challengers. Its big selling point is its focus on privacy, at a time when internet users are very aware of how their data might be used and sold.
DuckDuckGo assures its users that it doesn’t track them. Nor does it personalise their search results. Your loyal previous customers will see you no more often than a stranger that doesn’t know your business name.
Ecosia
Where DuckDuckGo focuses on privacy, Ecosia is appealing to a different type of internet searcher. This search engine looks and feels a lot like Google, but brings its search results from Bing. This means that it provides a comfortable search experience for most internet users, but is powered by Bing and subject to Bing’s algorithms.
Ecosia is working to become as cautious with privacy as DuckDuckGo, but its main selling point is the fact that 80% of Ecosia’s profits go to tree planting projects. For the environmentally-conscious internet user, this is a way to help the planet.
Ecosia, growing in popularity, really demonstrates the importance of not focusing all attention on Google. Bing might seem like ‘second best’ and less worth considering, but it’s also the company behind many other search engines. Overall, this gives Bing a larger market share than you’d think.
When considering SEO, and how you’ll attract new customers, never forget that Google’s not the only search engine out there.
