Qwant is a European search engine alternative. Like
DuckDuckGo (another favourite of ours), and unlike other search engines such as Google,
Qwant does not track your activity or trap you in a
filter bubble (where you see results based on your previous search history and clicks, rather than those that are most relevant).
When you search
Qwant your results are presented in 3 columns tagged Web, News and Social (social media like Twitter). You can also filter your results to just include images or videos, or for shopping or music using the buttons on the left.
You are also able to
create a free account and set lots of preferences, including having a list of favourite web sites which can act as a start page (these act like bookmarks and can be accessed from anywhere when you sign in with your account).
Qwant has other
useful features including:
- Opening results in a new tab so you retain your list of search results
- Searching options like phrase or title searching, excluding search terms or limiting to a particular file type
- Qwant Lite has minimal graphics on display making it ideal for mobile devices and where there is a slower internet connection
- Qwick which easily allows you to search the content of a particular site through some clever shortcuts
- Boards which allows you to share content like pictures, videos, websites and even your own text
- Qwant Junior: a more heavily filtered search aimed at 6 - 13 year olds, with an education tab which displays results from recognised educational sources
Qwant has enough interesting features to make it an alternative to Google and other more mainstream search engines. It's approach to privacy and searching mean you get results based more on your search criteria than your previous activities and we think it is well worth a look.
Access will still be available for registered members via our swipe card system at the Berrywood and Richmond libraries (just don't forget to bring your library card!), but Isebrook Library will be closed.
