[centur]

I can't say about comparable quality of search results as I use default DDG search across all my devices for many years, so I'm in my own echo chamber here.

What I can say that, with current tendency of mass enshittification of available content, and noticeable decline of other major players in this space (from time to time I accidentally search via Google\bing or specialized engines), if DDG would just keep the current levels of search quality and modesty of interface with rich !bang syntax - it will be totally fine by me.

I don't need AI generated results, I don't need widgetry, ads, previews, helpers rampage on my search page. I like that they haven't changed their search page colours, css classes, layouts and everything else what compounds into UX for ages. Every now and then when I search something with different engines - I feel like I'm in the IE6 era when everything tries to install a toolbar into your browser, tries to steal your attentions or those old link portals riddled with flashy banners And then google was born with clear and simple search results page

So it's not so much of a best search quality or ever changing landscape, it's the consistency of experience from DDG I'm after.

DDG is my daily driver, I used to it's style, results, visuals, syntax. In some way I mastered DDG search like one can master regex syntax or programming language. I used to it how someone used to their old tools. I don't want a new "shiny" hammer or a screwdriver, I want the one that is stable and I can adapt to it and master.

And if/when they would ask for small donation or a subscription - I'd happily help them, same way as one would help an old reliable friend in need, rather than flock away to some new hype-driven,money-burning,born-in-AI vendor locked native application.

Being predictably reliable in last few years of internet-worsening landscape - is not a bad thing really. It's a great perk (and kudos to DDG team) that some people value much more, than a fire-hose of degenerative AI novelty.