Founded in 2004 and based in the UK (Brighton and Crawley), Mojeek is one of the oldest independent search engines still operating. They are a technology company, not an advertising company, which aligns their business incentives with user satisfaction rather than data extraction.
, the UK-based independent search engine, a particularly compelling one is "A Brief History of Searching" from the official Mojeek Blog. Mojeek Blog +2 Why this article is interesting Published in January 2026, it explores the shift from traditional keyword search to "walled gardens" and AI "answer engines". It argues that the convenience of a single AI-generated answer actually erodes user autonomy by removing the need for comparison and judgment. Mojeek Blog Other notable Mojeek articles To Track, or Not to Track? 15 Years Striving for Search Engine Independence : Tells the story of founder Marc Smith, who started the project in his bedroom in 2004 and survived while better-funded competitors failed. Mojeek: Search results independent of Google, Microsoft, and Yandex : A profile by mojeek
Search independence isn’t just a feature — it’s infrastructure. Founded in 2004 and based in the UK
For general web search, yes — especially if you value privacy and competition. For local results, maps, or shopping, you may still need Google or alternatives. Mojeek Blog +2 Why this article is interesting
: Because it doesn't build a profile on you, the results are strictly based on the keywords you enter, providing a "neutral" view of the web free from the "filter bubble" of personalized algorithms. The Technical Foundation
One of the biggest misconceptions about alternative search engines is that they all use Google’s or Bing’s search results. This is not true for Mojeek.