Google paid $26.3 billion in 2021 alone to ensure that its search engine remained the default option on web browsers and smartphones

Let that sink in .......

So, basically, we have a choice, fortunately.

1. use a search engine that uses google as a base
2. use a search engine that has their own indexes and crawlers.

If you would do google a favor, yhe second option would then come first. And if there is indeed, no other choice, number one would be fitting.

The lists below are not exhaustive, but is provided to give some ideas. Sometimes you just have to look around from time to time, to consider if what is being used, in terms of habit, still lives up to your own ideals.

OWN INDEXES:

1. Gibiru
2. Quant
3. Bing
4. YANDEX
5. Mojeek

meta-search

1. DDG
2. SEARX
3. Whoogle
4. Swiss Cows
5. Start Page