Tired of clicking through a minefield of sponsored results just to find a decent answer?
Every internet user goes through this hassle these days.
With ads clogging search results and trackers lurking behind every click, more people are turning to search engines without advertising. These tools cut the noise and give you something rare: clean, unbiased information. If you’re privacy-conscious or simply fed up with clutter, switching to an ad free search engine changes the way you browse.
We’ll look at some of the best options out there, from subscription-powered platforms to community-run projects. If you’re ready to search smarter and leave the ads behind, keep reading.
Ad-free search engines worth checking out
Looking for a search engine that puts results before revenue?
Here are some ad-free search engines worth checking out. Each one takes a different style, but they all share a single goal: search without the selling.
1. Kagi
Let’s start with one of the premium players.
Kagi is built for people who are done with ad-stuffed results and ready to pay for quality. For $10 a month, you get an ultra-private, zero-ads experience. No trackers and no IP logs. Just relevant content.
Bonus features: You can block domains you dislike, apply your own CSS themes, and even tweak search result rankings. There’s also a secure search history, so you can revisit what’s important. If you’re after a search engine with no ads and full control, Kagi delivers.
2. Mojeek
Mojeek is the purist’s pick.
It runs its own crawler and index, so there’s no dependency on the big players. It doesn’t store cookies unless you opt in and avoids any identifying logs. Translation: privacy-first to its core.
Here’s what’s cool: Mojeek lets you sort results by emotion (yes, really happy, sad, angry). It also has dedicated modes for recipe searches or Substack content. And if you’re short on time, it can summarize results using an open-source LLM. If you want a no-advertising search engine that walks the walk, Mojeek fits the bill.
3. Brave Search
Brave Search combines independent tech with thoughtful privacy design.
It blocks ads and trackers by default and gives you the choice between standard results or AI-generated answers. The Goggles feature is exceptional. It lets users apply community-built filters (think: de-biasing political news or excluding celebrity coverage).
The Reddit-powered “Discussions” tab is also a neat touch. While its media search isn’t as polished as Google’s, Brave still stands tall as a search engine with no ads, and one that respects your right to browse in peace.
4. Andi
Andi is more like an AI-powered research partner rather than a traditional search engine
Instead of sending you down a rabbit hole of links, Andi responds with direct, chat-style answers. No cookies, no tracking, no IP storage. Just private results.
Under the hood, it pulls from real data and uses semantic search to make sense of your question. If you want a search engine with no advertising that feels modern and instinctive, Andi’s worth a try.
5. Good
Minimalist. Nonprofit. Tracker-free.
Good is a clean, no-nonsense search engine free from promotions. You won’t see ads, profiles, or sneaky affiliate links. Just organic results and a simple UI.
Here’s the best part: any revenue they make goes toward social and environmental causes. So not only are you avoiding ads, you’re also supporting something good, literally.
Honorable mention: Neeva
Neeva launched in 2019 with a bold idea: ditch the ads and charge a subscription fee instead.
Backed by former Google execs, Neeva offered a mix of its own index and Bing results. Users got a sleek, clutter-free interface and strong privacy controls. Sadly, the consumer version shut down in mid-2023, but its influence still lingers in today’s privacy-focused search alternatives.
Search engines without ads? They’re a response
It’s a clear signal that users are craving a cleaner and calmer internet experience. One where your results aren’t surrounded by sponsored clutter or quietly tracked in the background.
Whether you’re leaning toward a premium tool like Kagi, checking out crawler-based platforms such as Mojeek, testing AI-powered options like Andi, or going the nonprofit route with Good, there’s one common thread: no ads, no distractions.
Even if you’re reflecting on now-defunct efforts like Neeva, each of these engines strips back the noise and puts your privacy (and actual search results) front and center. Many also throw in bonus features like customizable filters, independent indexing, or built-in AI summaries.
So, how do you choose? Look at the basics: Where does it pull its data? Can you personalize it? What’s the privacy policy? Is it free, or are you supporting it with a subscription? Your ideal ad-free search engine is out there. It just depends on your habits, your values, and how you like to search.
FAQs
How do ad-free search engines differ from typical search platforms?
An ad-free search engine delivers results without mixing in sponsored listings or banner ads. Unlike ad-supported engines that monetize your clicks and behavior, these platforms typically run on subscriptions, donations, or community models. This gives you a faster, cleaner UI, organic rankings only, and in most cases, better privacy by design.
Are search engines without advertising better for privacy?
Generally, yes. Ad-free engines often avoid tracking altogether. Tools like Good and Andi don’t store your search history or personal info, and some even encrypt your queries. Without third-party ad scripts running behind the scenes, you’re also less exposed to fingerprinting or behavioral profiling. Less advertising usually means less tracking.
Can I set a no-advertising search engine as my browser default?
Absolutely. Most privacy-first engines offer simple setup guides. After visiting the site or installing an extension, just head to your browser settings, and you’ll see options to set it as default. Platforms like Good and Andi come with step-by-step walkthroughs for Chrome, Firefox, and others, so your browser bar uses your chosen engine automatically.
How are ad-free search engines funded?
Different models, same goal: keeping ads out. Services like Kagi (and previously, Neeva) rely on monthly subscriptions. Others, like Ecosia, tie revenue to environmental initiatives, while platforms like Good run as nonprofits. Some (like Andi) offer premium features or supporter programs. No ads means they get creative, but the result is the same: a more user-focused experience.
Will I still get quality search results without ads?
In most cases, yes but the results may look a little different. Engines like Mojeek, which build their own indexes, serve original and unbiased content, but may lack some of the usual features you’re used to. Paid services like Kagi offer ranking customization to give you more control. Quality depends on the engine’s index, algorithm, and design philosophy, but for many users, the trade-off is worth it.