DDG (DuckDuckGo) is an internet search engine that emphasizes protecting searchers’ privacy and avoiding the filter bubble of personalized search results. Founded in 2008 by Gabriel Weinberg, DDG distinguishes itself from other search engines by not profiling its users and by deliberately showing all users the same search results for a given search term.
Unlike other major search engines like Google and Bing, DDG refrains from storing user information such as IP addresses, search history, and user agents string. DDG also serves as the default search engine to browsers like Safari and Firefox. As of 2022, DDG processes over 90 million searches per day.
DDG Net Worth and Company Valuation
As a private company, definitive information on DDG’s financials and Gabriel Weinberg’s net worth are not publicly available. However, some estimates provide clues:
- In 2019, Weinberg said DDG was profitable and generating tens of millions in annual revenue. Based on typical valuation multiples in the tech industry, this suggests a company valuation likely measured in the hundreds of millions.
- In June 2022, Weinberg told Forbes that DDG had grown annual revenue to over $100 million. At that size and growth rate, a $1 billion+ valuation would not be unreasonable.
- Gabriel Weinberg has a track record as a successful serial entrepreneur, having previously founded namesake.com. While his personal net worth is unknown, even owning a minority stake in DDG could easily make him a hundred millionaire or billionaire on paper.
DDG User Growth
As privacy concerns around big tech have grown in recent years, so too has DDG’s user base:
- In 2016, DDG was processing around 10 million searches per day. By 2018 that had doubled to 20 million, and by 2020 it was up to 50 million.
- In 2021, DDG for the first time surpassed the 100 million daily searches milestone, ending the year with an average of 123 million.
- Growth has accelerated further in 2022 following changes to iOS and Firefox making DDG a default search option. As of June 2022, DDG was processing over 90 million searches per day.
- For comparison, Google still dwarfs DDG handling over 5.6 billion searches per day. But DDG’s growth trajectory has been steep, and its share of the search engine market has tripled over the last 5 years.
DDG Products and Services
In addition to its core private search engine, DDG offers a suite of privacy-focused products and services:
Browser Extensions – DDG’s browser extensions display privacy ratings for websites and block trackers. There are extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge and Brave.
App Tracking Protection – On iOS and Android devices, DDG’s mobile app blocks app tracking and alerts users to hidden third-party trackers.
Email Protection – DDG’s email protection service encrypts email and removes hidden email trackers for $24 per year.
Private Search Engine APIs – DDG offers paid APIs that allow developers to integrate privacy-focused search into their applications. Customers range from large enterprises like GM to nonprofits like Mozilla.
Revenue from these premium products and APIs likely complements DDG’s core search advertising business.
DDG CEO Gabriel Weinberg
As the founder and CEO of DDG, Gabriel Weinberg is the driving force behind DDG’s vision and success. Details about his background:
Age: 42 years old as of 2022
From: Philadelphia suburb of Ardmore, PA
Education: Graduated MIT in 2002 with BS in Computer Science
Previous startups: Founded Names Database in 2006, sold to Classmates.com in 2006. Launched social networking platform Edlio in 2007, sold to Blackboard in 2011.
Philanthropy and Impact Investing: Weinberg is a signatory of The Giving Pledge, meaning he intends to give away most of his wealth. He is also an active angel investor in companies with positive social and environmental impact.
Honors and Awards: 2022 Webby Award for DDG mobile app; 2012 induction into Philadelphia Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
FAQs
What is DDG’s core business model?
Like Google and Bing, DDG makes most of its revenue by displaying targeted ads alongside search results. DDG distinguishes itself by not creating personalized profiles to target those ads.
Who funds and owns shares in DDG?
DDG is backed by Union Square Ventures, OMERS Ventures, and Gabriel Weinberg. As CEO and founder, Weinberg likely retains significant ownership. DDG has raised over $25 million in funding.
Is DDG completely private and anonymous?
DDG does not store IP addresses or personal info, but no search engine provides 100% anonymity given basic traffic analysis techniques. DDG endeavors to maximize privacy within constraints of running an Internet business.
What is DDG’s most popular browser extension?
DDG’s browser extension for Chrome has over 2 million active users, likely making it DDG’s most widely-used privacy product beyond its core search engine.
Does DDG censor or manipulate results?
DDG does not remove legal search results or tailor them based on user profiling. However, its algorithm ranks results to prioritize more reputable sources. pornography, copyright infringement.