this post was submitted on 21 Sep 2023
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Technology

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[–] [email protected] 42 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I've never had a problem with DDGs search results that simply rephrasing my query didn't solve. What are you all searching for that Google's results are "light-years ahead" of DuckDuckGo's? (Honest question)

[–] CO_Chewie 16 points 1 year ago

I agree. Honestly anytime I've resorted to having to use Google for something I feel the results are even worse than DDG.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Not OP, but I get completely trash results on a ton of technical questions no matter how I phrase it. Not a specific example, but if I'm having an issue with some niche distribution of Linux that requires a specific fix, it'll instead insist on showing me the massive pile of results for the normal distros instead of the couple of links containing the answer I want.

For as shitty as Google has gotten, it'll at least give you the one or two better hits before piling on the generic results.

It's like DDG changes the query to get more results whereas Google will just run the damn search even if they stuff the results with ads and tracking.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The only thing I goto Google for is when I'm looking for local attractions. With Google maps being native everything is just smoother. Also, Google reviews are much more relevant with whatever duckduckgo has integrated (yelp?). Just my 2 cents.

I offset any inconvenience with how Google is not much of a search engine but more of an ad company. Also, I disabled all Googles data scavenging shit and I can't even load the site without getting hit with a captcha. As someone who saw Google rise from the librarians favorite search engine, when a cable modem was life changing, it's devastating to see it become everything that's wrong with the internet.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Oh right, don't get me even started on DDG using fucking Apple maps which are complete garbage in my region. Why can't they support OSM? :/

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

In my recent experience Google still delivers better results for tech troubleshooting queries. "linux drivers for acer e15 card reader" at least points me to some semi-relevant pages on Google that could lead to a solution or more ideas where to look while ddg throws a lot of generic stuff that is only faintly related.