Quick take
Already sold on Startpage?
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Short answer: Startpage gives you Google's search results without sending Google your IP address, cookies or search history. It acts as a privacy intermediary: it submits your query to Google itself and returns the results to you, and its Anonymous View feature can open result pages through a proxy so the destination site doesn't see your IP either. It's based in the Netherlands under EU privacy law. The main question mark is ownership: an advertising-technology company, System1, has held a majority stake since 2019.
How Startpage works
- You search on Startpage.
- Startpage sends the query to Google from its own servers, without your IP address or identifying cookies.
- Google returns results to Startpage, which shows them to you alongside non-personalized ads.
- Optionally, Anonymous View loads the result page through Startpage's proxy, hiding your IP from that website.
Startpage says it doesn't store your IP address or search history and uses no tracking cookies.
Startpage vs. DuckDuckGo
| Startpage | |
|---|---|---|
Result source | Mostly Bing plus its own crawler and other sources | |
Result quality on niche or local queries | Usually stronger (Google) | Good, occasionally weaker |
Anonymous View proxy | Yes | No |
Extras | Minimal | Bangs, browser, email protection, AI chat |
Jurisdiction | Netherlands (EU) | United States |
Ownership | Majority-owned by System1 via Privacy One Group (since 2019) | Independent company |
The ownership question
In 2019, Privacy One Group — owned by System1, an advertising-technology company — took a majority stake in Startpage. Startpage said its founders retained control over privacy-related decisions and that its no-tracking technical design didn't change. Some privacy communities temporarily delisted it over unclear disclosure before restoring it. There's no public evidence that Startpage's privacy practices changed, but if ownership matters to you, DuckDuckGo is independently owned.
Weak spots
- Dependent on Google's results, so any change in that relationship would affect the product.
- Fewer features than DuckDuckGo (no bangs ecosystem, fewer instant answers).
- Anonymous View can break some interactive sites.
Verdict
Startpage is the best choice if you want Google-quality results without Google tracking you. Use Anonymous View for sensitive searches, and consider DuckDuckGo if independent ownership is important to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Startpage really private?
Startpage says it doesn't log IP addresses or search history and doesn't use tracking cookies, and it removes your identifying information before sending searches to Google.
Does Startpage use Google?
Yes. It shows Google's search results, retrieved anonymously on your behalf.
Who owns Startpage?
Startpage is majority-owned by Privacy One Group, part of System1, since 2019.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Startpage
- Computing, Startpage gives more details of the System1 investment
- Startpage, Privacy policy
The bottom line
