Ecosia & Qwant Unveil New European Search Engine
▼ Summary
– Ecosia now delivers its own search results for the first time, starting with French users through a new European search index developed with Qwant.
– The rollout introduces the European Search Perspective (EUSP) joint venture, featuring Staan, a privacy-focused search infrastructure for Europe.
– Ecosia aims to serve 30% of French search queries via the new independent index by 2025, enhancing digital sovereignty and ethical AI development.
– The new infrastructure allows Ecosia and Qwant to operate independently, reducing reliance on US tech companies and enabling backend improvements.
– The EUSP index is open to other companies and supports outside investment, fostering competition and innovation in Europe while prioritizing privacy.
Ecosia and Qwant have launched a groundbreaking European search engine, marking a major shift toward digital sovereignty and privacy-focused alternatives. For the first time in its 16-year history, Ecosia is delivering independent search results powered by a new European index developed in collaboration with Qwant. The initiative, part of the European Search Perspective (EUSP) joint venture, introduces Staan, a privacy-centric search infrastructure designed to reduce reliance on non-European tech giants.
Currently, French users are the first to experience results from this independent index, with Ecosia targeting 30% of French search queries to be served through the new system by 2025. Christian Kroll, CEO of Ecosia, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating that having control over search infrastructure is vital for fostering digital plurality and ethical AI development in Europe.
Historically, both Ecosia and Qwant depended on third-party syndication platforms from U.S. tech firms. The new infrastructure grants them full technical independence, enabling backend improvements and customized search experiences without external dependencies. This move aligns with broader efforts to strengthen Europe’s digital autonomy.
The EUSP index is open to other companies developing search or AI tools, encouraging competition and innovation. Unlike Ecosia’s steward-owned structure, the platform allows outside investment, making it more adaptable for growth. Kroll highlighted that the project isn’t just about refining search, it’s about empowering Europe to shape its own technological future while upholding stringent privacy standards.
While the initial rollout is limited to France, the infrastructure is built to expand, potentially transforming how European users access search engines. This partnership between Ecosia and Qwant could pave the way for a more diverse and resilient digital ecosystem across the continent.
Featured Image: George Khelashvili/Shutterstock
(Source: Search Engine Journal)
