# About SearXNG

SearXNG is a [metasearch engine], aggregating the results of other
{{link('search engines', 'preferences')}} while not storing information about
its users. The SearXNG project is driven by a open community, come join us on
Matrix if you have questions or just want to chat about SearXNG:

- [#searxng:matrix.org]

make SearXNG better.

- You can improve SearXNG translations at [Weblate] or
- track development, send contributions and report issues at [SearXNG sources].
- To get further information visit SearXNG's project documentation at [SearXNG
  docs].

## Why use it?

- SearXNG may not offer you as personalized results as Google, but it doesn't
  generate a profile about you.
- SearXNG doesn't care about what you search for, never shares anything with a
  third-party, and it can't be used to compromise you.
- SearXNG is free software, the code is 100% open, and everyone is welcome to
  make it better.

If you do care about privacy, want to be a conscious user, or otherwise believe
in digital freedom, make SearXNG your default search engine or run it on your
own server!


## How do I set it as the default search engine?

SearXNG supports [OpenSearch].  For more information on changing your default
search engine, see your browser's documentation:

- [Firefox]
- [Microsoft Edge] - Behind the link you will also find some useful instructions
  for Chrome and Safari.
- [Chromium] - based browsers only add websites that the user navigates to without
  a path.


## How does it work?

SearXNG is a fork from the well-known [searx] [metasearch engine] which was
inspired by the [Seeks project].  It provides basic privacy by mixing your
queries with searches on other platforms without storing search data.  SearXNG
can be added to your browser's search bar; moreover, it can be set as the
default search engine.

The {{link('stats page', 'stats')}} contains some useful anonymous usage
statistics about the engines used.

## How can I make it my own?

SearXNG appreciates your concern regarding logs, so take the code from the
[SearXNG sources] and run it yourself!

Add your instance to this [list of public
instances]({{get_setting('brand.public_instances')}}) to help other people
reclaim their privacy and make the internet freer.  The more decentralized the
internet is, the more freedom we have!


[SearXNG sources]: {{GIT_URL}}
[#searxng:matrix.org]: https://matrix.to/#/#searxng:matrix.org
[SearXNG docs]: {{get_setting('brand.docs_url')}}
[searx]: https://github.com/searx/searx
[metasearch engine]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metasearch_engine
[Weblate]: https://weblate.bubu1.eu/projects/searxng/
[Seeks project]: https://beniz.github.io/seeks/
[OpenSearch]: https://github.com/dewitt/opensearch/blob/master/opensearch-1-1-draft-6.md
[Firefox]: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-or-remove-search-engine-firefox
[Microsoft Edge]: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028574/microsoft-edge-change-the-default-search-engine
[Chromium]: https://www.chromium.org/tab-to-search