I suspect that maybe you were exposed to a certain post over on lemmy.ml @ local link: lemmy.one/post/657560
I’d invite you to read through my comment deconstructing the silliness of that entire post…the accusations and links are highly flimsy and poorly support the assertions being made. lemmy.one/comment/708741
I won’t deny that it’s likely that DDG isn’t as privacy focused today as it may have been when it was initially founded; but I haven’t seen anything on the fediverse compile enough reasons today that would support the panic I’m seeing over it if you just look into what few sources are quoted and being used and assess critically what might be going on.
That being said…
I do recommend SearXNG. Highly.
The metasearch engine that SearXNG offers usually works well and allows you to pick, choose, and sift through the various search engines and even define and create new ones you can use for yourself so that you can easily search whatever you need.
Searx instances in general are kinda like email providers too; just find a good one for yourself and start using it; no real account is required…just find one that works for you and set up your preferences and all.
I do not recommend Kagi! Kagi is a paid search engine. In general I do not consider their paid service to be better than Searx and would not recommend using them. Usage of a paid service requires creating an account…and we all know where that garden path lies.