I had used DuckDuckGo for over 5 years. I dumped it a few months ago after this news first came out. Went back to Google.
What I started noticing with DuckDuckGo was the down listing/ranking of regular everyday stores. For instance, if I directly typed in Kroger’s, then there would be 3 or 4 other grocery stores listed before the Kroger’s results. Tell me someone is not manipulating those results.
It sure is interesting.
I’ve noticed that too, but I don’t think it’s just DDG.
I think businesses pay to have their sites made prominent. I don’t know if they pay a service, or pay the company that runs the search engine. But I’ve thought it’s something like those services that promise to clean up your online reputation if, for instance, there have been complaints against you...