Closed alpha

Radically private web search.

Even we don't know what you searched.

Spes Publica is a free web search that keeps your searches and your identity apart. It's in closed alpha, by invite only.

  • Made for people, not bots

    While you enter your search term your browser solves a puzzle in the background, invisible to you. This makes it harder for bots to use Spes Publica, but shouldn’t impact your experience.

  • Encrypted search on your device

    Your browser locks your search. Only our search engine can open it, and it doesn’t know who you are.

  • No profiling

    We don’t build a profile from your searches, and we don’t show you targeted ads.

  • Not for sale

    We don’t buy, sell or profit from data about you.

How it compares

Spes Publica compared with DuckDuckGo and Google
Spes Publica DuckDuckGo Google
Search not tied to you Yes Partly: No
No targeted ads Yes Partly: No
Encrypted twice Yes No No
No AI layer Yes Partly: No

Checked October 2026, from each company's own pages and settings. Our column is how Spes Publica works; the privacy page has the details.

1. Spes Publica

By design

How Spes Publica keeps searches apart from the people who make them.

spesp.com/privacy

2. DuckDuckGo

By promise

In DuckDuckGo's own words

“your searches cannot be tied back to you, either by us or our partners”

https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/company/ads-by-microsoft-on-duckduckgo-private-search

3. Google

Uses your activity

In Google's own words

“We use your activity on Google – like sites you visit, apps you use, and things you’ve searched for – to deliver better, more helpful experiences across our products, including ads.”

https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/safety-security/ads-privacy-questions-answered/

4. DuckDuckGo

Ads picked from your search

In DuckDuckGo's own words

“search ads on DuckDuckGo are based on the search results page you’re viewing, and not based on you as a person.”

https://duckduckgo.com/privacy

5. Google

Ads use your searches

In Google's own words

“When ad personalization is off, ads may still be based on contextual factors, such as the topic of the website or app you’re looking at, your active searches, information about the videos you’ve just been watching, or your general location.”

https://support.google.com/My-Ad-Center-Help/answer/12155656

6. DuckDuckGo

On until you turn it off

In DuckDuckGo's own words

“Select Never from the Search Assist dropdown options.”

https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/ai-features/opting-out-of-ai

7. Google

Can't be turned off

In Google's own words

“AI Overviews are a core Google Search feature, like knowledge panels. Features cannot be turned off.”

https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/14901683

References
  1. Spes Publica: By design. spesp.com/privacy
  2. DuckDuckGo: By promise. https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/company/ads-by-microsoft-on-duckduckgo-private-search
  3. Google: Uses your activity. https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/safety-security/ads-privacy-questions-answered/
  4. DuckDuckGo: Ads picked from your search. https://duckduckgo.com/privacy
  5. Google: Ads use your searches. https://support.google.com/My-Ad-Center-Help/answer/12155656
  6. DuckDuckGo: On until you turn it off. https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/ai-features/opting-out-of-ai
  7. Google: Can't be turned off. https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/14901683

  • Images fetched for you

    We load the images in your results ourselves, so your browser doesn’t contact those sites until you click one.

  • No AI layer

    We don’t run AI on you or your search, and we don’t use your searches to train AI.

  • Not tied to you

    The backend search doesn't see who it came from.

  • Big changes start with small choices

    Every time you choose Spes Publica instead of another tool, you’re joining a growing community of privacy-conscious netizens.

You’re not the product, we are.

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