Google vs DuckDuckGo

[Ratsima]

I'm lazy and usually just use Google for search. But, recently I noticed that when searching with Google it often returns a URL that looks like this:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiE0JSKgPHlAhUCs54KHYHZB2AQFjAAegQIBBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.dropbox.com%2Finstalls-integrations%2Fphotos%2Fcamera-uploads-overview&usg=AOvVaw2F7yMuVhSCF4T_kVys68uf

This was a search on Dropbox Camera Uploads.

The same search in DuckDuckGo returns a URL that looks like this:

https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/photos/camera-uploads-overview

When you click on the Google link it obviously have to be parsed and redirected, which takes time and often seems to drive Safari to distraction.

The DuckDuckGo direct link loads quickly and doesn't confuse Safari.

Anyone know what Google is up to here?

BTW, this is not intended to be humorous.

[toMACsh]

That's funny I've been annoyed by the same thing. I think it's just to claim more eyes have seen the ads.

[Raz0rEdge]

One of the primary claims of DuckDuckGo is that it doesn't track you and doesn't allow you to be tracked. One the other hand Google cares VERY much about tracking you and knowing what you are searching for since that will allow them to drive other things at you through ads and so on.

So, if you had a search engine that wanted to track you, how would they do it? The easiest way is to use URL parameters, that's the key=value&key2=value2&key3=value3 sequences you see. Some of the keys are easy to understand, "source=web" for example tells Google that you used your browser as opposed to the API or other avenue. The "uact=8" tells them its a specific user account. Finally, the "url=<actual url>" tells them where to redirect you once they've gathered all the info.

The way the redirect works is to send a HTTP 302 code with the <actual url> which the browser will jump to. So yes, its going to be a little bit slower and some browsers tend to view redirects (and the number of them) as suspicious.

With DuckDuckGo, the URL you see the URL that's there and as such clicking on it will take you directly without the 302 redirect so it will be faster.

If DuckDuckGo is getting you the results you want, then by all means use it.

[krs]

If DuckDuckGo is getting you the results you want, then by all means use it.

On that note....
DuckDuckGo implies one gets the same search results as with google except for the tracking.
Anyone know if that is true?
Once in a while I tried Bing as the search engine, but the results with Bing are pitiful compared to google

[Raz0rEdge]

On that note....
DuckDuckGo implies one gets the same search results as with google except for the tracking.
Anyone know if that is true?
Once in a while I tried Bing as the search engine, but the results with Bing are pitiful compared to google

When I had briefly switched over to DuckDuckGo a while back, I did find the results comparable to Google. However, Bing is absolutely atrocious since their crawler is definitely not as prolific as the others.

[Ratsima]

Some of the keys are easy to understand,

Yeah, I puzzled over this one for a while: ved=2ahUKEwiE0JSKgPHlAhUCs54KHYHZB2AQFjAAegQIBBAB

And then I found this: The information hidden inside Google’s ved parameter

[mmouer]

Yeah, I puzzled over this one for a while: ved=2ahUKEwiE0JSKgPHlAhUCs54KHYHZB2AQFjAAegQIBBAB

And then I found this: The information hidden inside Google’s ved parameter

I’ve been using DAX for several years and find far more accurate and faster than Safari. Also t always finds the address, sometimes Safari can’t find the server. BTW, DAX is the mascot for Duck Duck Go.