On behalf of the metasearch engine Ecosia, a new tree is planted every 1.3 seconds according to their data. Users of this Google alternative make an active contribution to environmental protection with each web search. This is made possible by advertising revenue, 80% of which is used to support reforestation projects all over the world. With a counter, users can follow how many trees will be planted in the future because of their search queries alone. On average, around 45 searches are required to finance one tree.
Both the search results and the web ads that Ecosia delivers come from Microsoft Bing. It also uses its own algorithms to make the search engine more efficient, according to the provider. Ecosia anonymously passes on stored data such as search queries, IP addresses, and browser types to partners like Microsoft.
Ecosia GmbH, which is based in Berlin, is behind the sustainable search engine. As a result, Ecosia’s search queries still come primarily from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, though the user interface can be displayed in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, or Swedish.