# DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo is an American software company focused on online privacy, best known for its privacy-focused search engine. Founded by Gabriel Weinberg in 2008, headquartered in Paoli, Pennsylvania. The name references the children's game "Duck, duck, goose." ## Key Products ### Search Engine - Privacy-focused: Does not track users or build profiles - No filter bubbles: Same results for everyone - Instant Answers: Quick facts, calculations, and info boxes - Bangs: Shortcuts to search other sites directly (e.g., `!g` for Google, `!w` for Wikipedia) ### Browser & Extensions - **DuckDuckGo Private Browser**: Desktop and mobile browsers with built-in privacy protections - **Browser Extensions**: Privacy Essentials for Chrome, Firefox, Safari - **Email Protection**: @duck.com addresses that strip trackers from emails ### Privacy Pro Subscription service including: - VPN - Personal Information Removal - Identity Theft Restoration ## Technical Details - Written in Perl, JavaScript, Python - Runs on nginx, FreeBSD, and Linux - Hybrid search engine using APIs from various vendors - Revenue from privacy-respecting ads and affiliate programs ## Privacy Features - No user tracking or profiling - No search history storage - Encrypted connections (HTTPS) - Tracker blocking - Global Privacy Control (GPC) support ## History - **2008**: Founded by Gabriel Weinberg - **2010**: Started differentiating on privacy - **2011**: Received Union Square Ventures investment - **2018**: Acquired duck.com domain ## Domains - duckduckgo.com (main) - ddg.gg (shortcut) - duck.com (email protection) License: Proprietary (company), some open-source components ## References - Official Website: https://duckduckgo.com/ - About: https://duckduckgo.com/about - Privacy Policy: https://duckduckgo.com/privacy - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuckDuckGo