Ecosia and Qwant Join Forces to Build a European Search Index and Challenge Big Tech
Matilda
Ecosia and Qwant Join Forces to Build a European Search Index and Challenge Big Tech
In a move that could shake up the search engine landscape, two European players, Ecosia and Qwant, are joining forces to develop their own search index. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on search indexes provided by tech giants like Google and Microsoft (Bing), and pave the way for a more innovative and privacy-focused search experience. Why are Ecosia and Qwant Taking This Step? There are several motivations behind this partnership: Reduced Reliance on Big Tech: Rising API costs, particularly from Microsoft's Bing, are pushing Ecosia and Qwant to diversify their tech stack. Owning their own search index offers greater control and potentially lower operational costs. Innovation with Generative AI (GenAI): Both search engines see GenAI as a key driver of future search experiences. Building their own index allows them to integrate GenAI features more seamlessly and avoid restrictions imposed by Big Tech. Data Sovereignty and Privacy: Ecosia and Qwant prioritize user privacy and da…