Ixquick

Ixquick was a privacy-focused search engine launched in 1998 by the Dutch company Surfboard Holding BV. Known for its commitment to user anonymity, Ixquick garnered a reputation for secure search practices by not recording IP addresses or storing personal data. This emphasis on privacy attracted users seeking alternatives to mainstream search engines that often track user activity for advertising purposes.

The search engine aggregated results from multiple search indexes, including Google, Yahoo, and Bing, providing comprehensive search outcomes without directly competing with these providers. Ixquick employed various privacy techniques, such as encrypted connections and minimal data collection, to ensure user confidentiality.

In 2016, Ixquick merged with StartPage, another privacy-oriented search engine, to create a unified platform aimed at offering enhanced privacy features while maintaining high-quality search results. The combined service continued to emphasize no tracking, anonymous searches, and encrypted connections.

In 2018, the Ixquick brand was phased out, and the service fully integrated into StartPage. The transition aimed to streamline privacy services under the StartPage brand, which retained the core principles of user anonymity and data protection.

Today, users seeking privacy-centric search options are recommended to use StartPage, which evolved from the original Ixquick platform. As a pioneer in privacy-focused search technology, Ixquick played a significant role in raising awareness about online privacy issues and the importance of user anonymity in digital searches.