Qwant and Ecosia team up to rival Google Search in Europe

Ecosia and Qwant, two search engines located in Europe, are collaborating to create a European search index in order to lessen their reliance on large tech companies in the US.

Next year, the two companies will construct an organisation called the European Search Perspective (EUSP) in France, which they will use for their search results as well as make available to other independent search engines and technology companies.

The two businesses stated that the EUSP wants to contribute to digital sovereignty in Europe by providing "a strong, independent alternative to existing search technologies." The two firms will own a 50/50 stake in the EUSP, and the joint venture will seek external funding from investors for future expansion.

Christian Kroll, CEO at Ecosia, had this to say about the EUSP:

We’re proud to build a search index in Europe, and excited to mark the next stage of our push towards more autonomy and diversity. The amount of climate impact Ecosia can bring about will always be dependent on how good our search engine is, so developing innovative technology is essential for the planet. This huge endeavor will also require the support of regulators and governments.

Meanwhile, Oliver Abecassis, CEO at Qwant and European Search Perspective, said:

This is a supercharged partnership between two responsible, renowned European brands, with privacy and climate impact at their heart. Search engine technology must operate in an open market that is conducive to free competition and innovation. It’s hugely positive for Europe to have search tech developed on the continent. European Search Perspective will give a freedom of choice and of thinking for all European people.

Ecosia, for example, relies on Microsoft's Bing to provide search results. By creating a new search index, users will have more options, which may be better than alternatives.