Wondering how you found this blog? Was it through one of the eco-friendly search engines? Chances are, not really, as a staggering 91% of all searches pass through Google.

While Google provides personalized results, its accuracy and relevance may not align with our environmental concerns. Surprisingly, each Google search produces 0.2 grams of CO2, contributing to a daily global generation of 700 million grams of CO2—equivalent to driving to the moon seven times!

1. Ecosia

Ecosia stands out as a top eco-friendly search engine, combining privacy with Bing’s search technology and enhanced algorithms. Users can easily add Ecosia to Apple Safari and Microsoft browsers.

Sustainability and Ethical Practices: Ecosia allocates 100% of its profits to climate action, with 80% supporting tree planting. Over 20 million users have contributed to planting 154,950,227+ trees, focusing on biodiversity hotspots and avoiding monocultures.

2. Ekoru

Positioning itself as an ocean-saving search engine, Ekoru boasts comparable search results to other engines, potentially utilizing Bing for searches. Webpages are secure, and data is not sold.

Sustainability and Ethical Practices: Ekoru contributes to cleaning oceans through ad revenue, funding partners like Big Blue Ocean Cleanup and Operation Posidonia. All servers run on hydroelectricity, generating 4.4g less CO2 per search compared to other engines.

3. OceanHero

OceanHero introduces an eco-friendly touch to internet browsing with its Google Chrome extension, providing search results similar to Google. Users can activate Ocean Mode for a visually appealing background.

Sustainability and Ethical Practices: Searches on OceanHero prevent plastic from entering oceans, with ad revenue translating to removing one plastic bottle for every 17 open tabs. The platform, in partnership with Plastic Bank, has removed 32,506,976 ocean-bound bottles.

4. Goodsearch

Powered by Yahoo!, Goodsearch can serve as the default search engine on Google Chrome. With a “search bank” system, users accumulate funds credited from ad revenue, supporting over 114,000 nonprofits and schools.

Sustainability and Ethical Practices: Goodsearch has generated over $13 million in donations, offering users the opportunity to choose a cause for contributions.

5. Rapusia

Rapusia operates as a sustainable search engine, available as an extension on Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. It maintains user anonymity and refrains from tracking or sharing information with advertisers.

Sustainability and Ethical Practices: Rapusia donates 50% of ad revenue profits to environmental and social projects, supporting disadvantaged children through the Tennis World Foundation.

6. Give As You Live

Formerly Everyclick, Give As You Live turns everyday online shopping into a more ethical experience. Users can select from 5,500 partner stores, and a portion of the commission received goes to support more than 40,000 UK charities.

Sustainability and Ethical Practices: Give As You Live has raised over £20,023,654 for UK charities, with 50% of the commission directly benefiting organizations.

7. Elliot for Water

Combining Bing’s API with its algorithm, Elliot For Water functions as an environmentally friendly search engine available on browsers, a mobile app, or its website.

Sustainability and Ethical Practices: Sixty percent of the revenue from ad clicks on Elliot For Water is donated to clean water projects, with a goal to provide water to 1 million people by 2025.

Final Thoughts on Environmentally Friendly Search Engines

While not yet at Google’s level, these eco-friendly search engines are making environmentally conscious actions accessible. They offer a sustainable way to browse without requiring a significant change in user behavior. With continued support for organizations, use of renewable energy, and improvements in transparency, these search engines are contributing to a greener digital experience. Try one or more of these eco-friendly search engines and share your newfound knowledge with friends and family to promote greener search platforms. Let’s keep the momentum going!