Preview of the new Startpage.com

Martin Brinkmann
Oct 25, 2018
Updated • Oct 25, 2018
Internet, Search
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127

Startpage.com plans to release an updated version of its search engine in November 2018 that promises faster searches and better functionality. The company revealed a preview of the upcoming interface and functionality today that is publicly available.

Interested users can point their browsers to https://new.startpage.com/ to open the preview, play around with it and provide Startpage.com with feedback on design and functionality.

startpage default

startpage air design

startpage.com preview

You will notice immediately that the interface has been streamlined and that the design has changed. Interface-wise, you find fewer links on the homepage. It is unclear at this point whether that is just for the preview or if direct links to Video searches or Advanced search options, are indeed not linked anymore on the startpage.

The current version displays just five elements that users can interact with: the search field, search button, the how we protect you informational link, Image search, and Menu. The old interface had twelve elements that users could interact with.

The default theme is still white but you you can change in the Settings to Air or Black instead.

You may notice that search is more responsive and faster when compared to the previous version of the search engine, and that certain useful features are displayed more prominent by default in the new version.

Maps, weather, and wiki information is more visible and the search results pages lists a new option to filter results by country right away.

startpage filters

Filter options have been moved to the "filter icon" on search results pages. A click on it displays all available filters and the link to the Advanced search parameters to refine searches further.

The search engine's proxy feature, one of its most useful features in my opinion, received a name change to "anonymous view" and some improvements.

Startpage.com fetches the website when a user activates the "Anonymous View" link next to a result and displays it to you in anonymity. The requested site interacts only with Startpage.com but not the user computer directly.

Anonymous View mode paints a border around the requested webpage so that you know that you are in that mode. Any link or element that you activate or interact with is requested through the proxy as well.

startpage proxy

Links are provided at the bottom to visit the original website and to open a support page that provides a detailed description of the Anonymous View mode used by the search engine.

A quick look at the new Settings page and a comparison to the classic one shows that changes have been made to it as well.

Features like "Fast Search Box Access" and "Exact Phrase" are removed from "Search Features", and "Results Appearance" feature are reduced from five options to just two.

Here is a list of options that are not listed on the Settings page currently:

  • Fast Search Box Access -- Displayed the header bar automatically when you scrolled up on Startpage. Reason: the new search box sticks to the top of the page.
  • Exact Phrase -- Made Startpage.com display results without "" when quotes were used but only few results were found.
  • Show number of web results -- Startpage.com displays the number automatically now.
  • Underline titles of all Web results -- Seems to have been removed.
  • Automatic highlighting -- Seems to have been removed.
  • When playing videos -- Appears to have been removed as well.

Closing Words

The changes that Startpage.com revealed today don't change the search engine completely. They improve search as it is now faster and more responsive, and the anonymous view mode which is one of the key features of Startpage.com.

Things may change before November, as it is easy enough to add the Videos link back or some of the options that are missing right now. Whether that will be the case remains to be seen though.

Now You: What is your take on the preview?

Summary
Preview of the new Startpage.com
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Preview of the new Startpage.com
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Startpage.com plans to release an updated version of its search engine in November 2018 that promises faster searches and better functionality.
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Comments

  1. taylor1277 said on April 17, 2019 at 6:42 am
    Reply

    So today is April 17, 2019. I read about Startpage and wanted to put this comment on the page that I was reading on ghacks. This search engine doesn’t work. I tried it on the webpage because for one, you would think that someone would post the URL so all I have to do is copy and paste it in the search engine area under settings on google chrome and then change it to the default browser. But something so tedious, you can’t post a simple thing. So let us talk about searching anonymously I looked up Pittsburgh Steelers, opened a photo and went to see this first hand at the original site which was posted by The Washington Post. This is the actual results I got back from The Washington Post. (The webpage will not show this image anonymously.) That is the results that came back, so they know I am using an ad tracker or something or Startpage is doing.

  2. Veritas said on November 30, 2018 at 10:23 am
    Reply

    When people used “google” as a verb, I used to reply with “google is not your friend” and always offered Startpage as a viable alternative. After using the “new” startpage for a few weeks, D.D.G. will be the new answer (started kicking the tires today).

    The “new” startpage is a mess, and as an early adaptor (ixquick before there was a startpage), this is a shame. The new Anonymous View is nearly completely useless. Fewer pages load, constant refreshes are necessary, opening in a new tab will without warning, open the new page without the proxy, and why oh why does the screen blacken and freeze? This will happen at any random time, from the initial load to a couple of minutes. When it does blacken and freeze, and you were a couple of clicks and pages in, a refresh brings you back to the initial page, aka the beginning. It’s a huge waste of time (refreshing every minute or so) and it is THE feature that differentiates (or used to) startpage from the rest. Searches with a secure connection are nice, but when you click on a link (without the proxy), you essentially jump back into the google/facebook swamp.

    Plus please explain why, after one session of trying the Anonymous View, there were OVER 50 local storage cookies, from startpage, that stored over 20mb/s of data on the system! Some of those cookies had dates between 2 to 3 years before they expired and some reconstitute themselves and don’t delete. That is completely unexceptable, and was never the case with the previous version.

    Wasn’t quite sure what to make of the pulsating man in suit with a bag over his head, but now I realize that it is the Anonymous View dev hiding his head in shame at how poorly made the new “proxy” has become.

    Also, kindly stop asking for the OS and browser info and using us as the beta testers. The system should work out the box, this one sadly was never ready to be released.

    There are other problems as well, however none of those problems has created a lack of trust as the new Anonymous View…and once you lose trust, what do you have?

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 30, 2018 at 7:15 pm
      Reply

      Hi Veritas. Thanks for sharing your concerns. I checked in with the Startpage.com tech team, and here is what they shared:

      – In their tests, most proxied pages are currently served with good performance. The type of experience you describe does not seem to be common. If you have a slow internet connection, that can definitely impact your results with the proxy, though.

      – Anonymous View successfully prevents cookies and local storage from presenting a privacy risk for you, while allowing them to be used (only in the current browsing session) by websites that require them to work. Startpage.com does this, in part, by using a different subdomain every single time you start a proxy session (e.g. `842e5c9459f7925c07aec15650ddd13ab1299c19-m.proxy.startpage.com`). So if you’re viewing Ford.com through the proxy, and it hypothetically stores a cookie or local storage, and you come back tomorrow and view Ford.com again, you’ll do so through a different subdomain that will not have access to it.

      – Yes, you only get the benefits of the Anonymous View proxy when you are within its protection.

      As far as the OS and browser versions: We ask this because some people are using outdated and unsafe operating systems and browsers. Not only is this a serious privacy and security risk for users, it may cause some issues with features. The redesign was developed for and tested on supported operating systems only.

      Hope this helps. Feel free to email the tech team directly if you have any other questions or concerns: Support@startpage.com

  3. Liz McIntyre said on November 29, 2018 at 8:27 pm
    Reply

    Hi B. Thanks for your input. I will be sure to pass it on the the team. They are listening to user feedback and have already made some changes in response.

    For example, they have added new themes and have also made some features, like time frame selection, more accessible.

    I encourage you to write into support since you seem to be having some issues others are not having. For example, most people find the new version to be faster.

    Some issues do arise when using outdated operating systems, so please include your OS and browser (and versions) when you write in so they can better troubleshoot.

    Thanks!

  4. B said on November 29, 2018 at 3:19 am
    Reply

    lets be frank it sucks its slower than old design and on images (just a train wreck) more information-on images was posted on the old style and new style it appears that you cant zoom into the image (CTRL and PLUS worked on old site but is not working anymore) also all the data (picture size-source is hidden) and you now cant QUICKLY visually scan a field of pics and pick out the larger format ones and ignore the smaller JPG files sizes you have to annoyingly and big time waster hover over each one how slow and inefficient is that? Thanks guys!
    ALSO the TILES crud is getting annoying stop following others like windows 10 and dumb social media sites you had a good thing going and you ruined it and made no provision to run the old site. Overtaxing your server?
    EBAY did similar error. They had a highly successful auction site and it made EABY billions and made them what they are today but their sales have lately faltered and plenty of users don’t like what they did (most small mom and pop and single sellers, that was the original CORE of EBAY, have left) they should have kept the money making auction site unchanged and SPUN off a new EBAY site (with chasing Amazon with BUYITNOW) you all should have done same. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you . Don’t change a good desing. Old site was successful and you dumped it. Great logic.

    It never ceases to amaze me computer personnel try to “leave their mark” and ruin a good functioning site if so many people harangued you to give a Hip Modern Design Look then let them download stupid SKINS give them lots of blinking lights (that’s a joke) and stop changing a good core program

    And those OPTION buttons below what a poor design I can’t tell if they are ON or OFF it really is not clear who is you designer do you realize Graphic Artists who make visual ads and building Architects not PC Architects spend 4 to 5 years in school just learning mostly PRESENTATION and DESIGN to present to the public and you all think just knowing CODE and a little design qualifies one to design a wepage? I think not. Sorry bit it takes much more to design a competent User Interface. Juts look to windows to see failures in UI

  5. Sam said on November 23, 2018 at 3:27 pm
    Reply

    New logo and colours are fine but pls check how bad it looks when utilizing the page blocking scripts. Pls fix the scriptless version.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 23, 2018 at 5:56 pm
      Reply

      Hi Sam. Could you email the team with some more information? It would be helpful to know the OS and browser, including versions. Screenshots are always helpful. Of course, please include the blocking tool or tools you are using. Here’s the email address: DesignFeedback@startpage.com.

      Thanks!

  6. Liz McIntyre said on November 20, 2018 at 8:28 pm
    Reply

    Sometimes that is the case, Mark. In the case of Startpage.com, many fans wrote in to request a more modern interface and new features. Overall, people love it.

    I will pass along your comments, though. Management is taking feedback into account and making adjustments. Will they offer the old site as an option again? I don’t know, but I can ask. If I get news, I’ll try to remember to come back here to let you know.

  7. Liz McIntyre said on November 20, 2018 at 8:19 pm
    Reply

    Hi Mark. My understanding is that Apple is only supporting macOS 10.11 or later. Using an unsupported version of macOS puts the security of your computer, and the information you store on it, at risk.

    Some of Startpage.com’s features may still work with this technology, but I’m told the company doesn’t test and design based on unsupported technology.

    Apple is pretty good about offering updates, but I’m not sure if your Macbook can take a newer version. Good idea to check and upgrade if possible — if just for privacy and security reasons.

  8. Mark said on November 20, 2018 at 1:29 pm
    Reply

    I opened Safari and the new Startpage came up.When I click on anything it greys out and the screen opens a menu on the right which has options (Support, Settings Mail etc) which will take me to that page which also greys out when you try and click anything. An ugly circle… ??? Any ideas. It on an old 2008 Macbook with OS10.7.5. & 4G Ram and plenty of room.

  9. Anonymous said on November 20, 2018 at 12:32 pm
    Reply

    Good Grief. Spent 2 hours trying to figure out what happened to startpage.com’s web page look.

    Why Why Why do companies change a familiar look.

    Imagine what would happen if Ford changed their logo every year or two.

    Pisses me off. Sick and tired of designers who think they found a new modern look. Modern? What the hell does modern even mean?

    1. Mark said on November 20, 2018 at 1:37 pm
      Reply

      After working 14 years in IT I’ve see this familiar practice many times. It usually boils down ti ineffective middle management suck-ups trying to justify their jobs. Sadly they can’t understand that “more” and “different” don’t necessarily mean better.

  10. Adam H said on November 17, 2018 at 5:55 pm
    Reply

    I just encountered the new theme today. It’s nice, but what I am really waiting for is the availability of “StartTube” so I can search and watch Youtube videos without all the extra hidden tracking and de-anonymizing functions that Youtube is laced with.

    I’m already moving to PeerTube for my video clip needs, but Youtube has so much content that I still want to see some of it, regardless of how evil the owner is.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 19, 2018 at 9:29 pm
      Reply

      Hi Adam H. StartTube. I like it! That would be cool.

  11. Peter said on November 17, 2018 at 1:15 pm
    Reply

    The NEW StartPage 2018 redesign is too BAD and I’d never recommend Startpage to anyone after this BAD redesign.

    Many people been using Ixquick/StartPage for a number of years now, with excellent results, BUT NOW MANY USERS HATE IT.

    Liz McIntyre said’ THANKS.. to people who likes the NEW BAD DESIGN. …So glad you like the new look and speedier interface!… But she will never turn the “clock” back.

    WE WANT THE OLD DESIGN BACK, AND WE WANT THE OLD OPTONS BACK.

    Anders said on October 25, 2018 at 8:25 pm… The trend of “modern” redesign is awful. Startpage redesign sucks, Reddit redesing sucks while Windows redesign was done by Satan himself.

    Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 4:32 pm… The new Startpage.com is just in preview now because the team wants to listen to what fans have to say and make any needed adjustments.
    Answer to Liz McIntyre is. TURN IT BACK TO OLD DESIGN.

    The only designfeedback is: Keep the OLD design, and do the old one better and faster.

    Many people use Linux Mint or another Linux distro, because Windows 10′ is DANGER. Window XP was the best OS ever’ and I hope some people “redesign” XP OS to became a Opensource xp OS etc. The Black XP OS is a fake.
    I use LIVE Linux Mint on CD/DVD’ running on RAM only. No HDD or No SSD in my computer’ only RAM.
    The OLD StartPage was running perfect, but NOW startPage runs bad on LIVE CD.

    Liz McIntyre said.. ..The team is very interested in your feedback. Please share your impressions and any other bugs by emailing designfeedback@startpage.com. Thanks so much!
    BUT designfeedback@startpage.com WILL NOT LISTEN TO PEOPLE SAYS’ TURN IT BACK.

    Fritz said on November 10, 2018 at 5:59 pm… …The new anonymous proxy has a constant error. AND IT STILL HAVE THIS ERROR.

    TURN IT BACK TO THE OLD BEST DESIGN AND OLD OPTIONS CHOOSE.
    OR MAKE TWO VERSIONS. 100% OLD ONE and NEW ONE.
    PLEASE!!!!!!!!

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 19, 2018 at 1:13 am
      Reply

      Hi Peter. Thanks for your input.

      We are listening to users and have already made tweaks in response. One example of this: The new themes added. Now there are five to choose from, and the team is considering others. Try the new “night” theme. It’s my favorite and is easy on the eyes.

      The team is also planning additional tweaks, including changes that make access to the time and advanced options easier.

      Many, many people love the new design, but the team is open to changes. That said, completely turning back to the old UI likely won’t happen. Could there be an alternative UI that harkens back? I would never close the door to that.

    2. Adam H said on November 17, 2018 at 5:59 pm
      Reply

      If you could be specific about which exact features you want, instead of just saying it is BAD BAD BAD, maybe you will find that those features are still there in a different location, or maybe they will listen to you.

  12. Fritz said on November 10, 2018 at 5:59 pm
    Reply

    Hello and thanks for answering here, Liz

    The new anonymous proxy has a constant error. After a proxyfied page opens, links in it open very okey if immediately clicked, but after couple minutes passed same links wouldn ‘t open anymore, same if try to reload the same page that has already openned fine. What occurs is it returns a “404 Session Not Found (Surfly)” error and then a redirect to https://error.proxy.startpage.com/search/proxy/something-bad/

    Tried different browsers, tried with and without javascript or cookies, but same, the only thing that seems the problem is whether links in proxified pages are clicked almost immediately or not. For anyone opening a bunch of tabs of search results this kills it because when the person navigates to read the second openned tab and wants to clik there, the redirect error appears!!

    I guess somewhere in the configurations on your side is set to clear caches or end session too soon. Please please increase timeout to many hours or days instead of 3 minutes. Few people click one search at a time. Older proxy screwed proxified page layout and had no x-domain ability but at least once proxified page openned, links in it to same domain stayed clickable until tab closed.

    Please reply here. Thanks!!

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 19, 2018 at 1:06 am
      Reply

      Hi Fritz. Sorry I didn’t see your question sooner!

      Startpage.com has tweaked the Anonymous View proxy, and it is working much better for most people. If you continue to have issues after trying it again, please email our tech team so they can troubleshoot. Here’s the email address: Support@startpage.com.

      1. Sam said on November 23, 2018 at 4:08 pm
        Reply

        Liz,
        I could reproduce in firefox what Fritz said above. Pls reread it. Pls don`t say “working much better for most people” which is like “everyone likes it and you don`t so you must be wrong”. Most unsatisfied ppl don`t bother to complain.

        New proxy is better with the javaScript, love that __but__ in fact it`s expiring as described and can`t be used. This is __much worse__ than any design debates.

        Other ppl I asked also could reproduce in chrome.

        To repeat – nothing to do with liking or disliking design logo or colours but big functional bug that would continue even if brought the bluesky design back as ppl are asking. I don`t care if new design looks more modern or not. If this bug isn`t fixed the new Anonymous View __isn`t functional__

        Can you pls just fwd link to this thread to the support email and ask them to notice and sure reproduce?

        (To others here, pls try reproduce it)

      2. Liz McIntyre said on November 26, 2018 at 10:17 pm
        Reply

        Hi Sam, not sure if you wrote in or not, but someone did make a report that sounds similar. Based on that feedback, Startpage.com is working to correct some newly identified issues. They really appreciate the information.

      3. MarooN87 said on November 29, 2018 at 12:00 am
        Reply

        You read something in anonymous view and when later you click anywhere… Redirect to error, all links are dead.

        Click quickly or it doesn’t work. :-(

      4. Liz McIntyre said on November 29, 2018 at 8:33 pm
        Reply

        Hi MarooN87. The team would like to know more.

        Startpage.com has had some intermittent issues with Anonymous View, but the team made some changes to address this. If you are still having issues, please email them: Support@startpage.com

        Please include your OS and browser (including versions). Also note any blockers you may be using. (Anonymous View can be used without JavaScript, but you get a better experience with JS enabled. Many website pages “break” without JS.)

        Thanks!

  13. Tom said on November 10, 2018 at 5:44 pm
    Reply

    New design ok but when javascript is off, the time and country filters show as crowded table on top of results page and that’s ugly – I preferred how it was before, on the side. Anyone else does not like it?

  14. O said on November 2, 2018 at 6:09 pm
    Reply

    No, I meant the appearance from https://classic.startpage.com. It’s not available in the settings page, not even the current ‘non-classic’ look; apparently this dumbing down is imposed on everyone. That’s unfortunate; I expected it to maintain this respectable look — it took a relatively long time for Startpage to go in the direction that most software products have been going since 2012. I really liked that they gave the option to keep the beautiful old interfaces.

    I hope Startpage grows with this, and more people start caring about data collection and related things.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 3, 2018 at 4:00 pm
      Reply

      Hi O. I am sharing your feedback with the Startpage.com team. Thanks for caring about privacy and for using Startpage.com.

  15. Gary said on November 2, 2018 at 1:43 pm
    Reply

    I’ve noticed that, with java script enabled, on mrwhoer.net, a user’s OS, browser type and version shows up.

    It’s not that anonymous, is it?

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 3, 2018 at 4:21 pm
      Reply

      Hi Gary. The Startpage.com technical team shared the following information:

      Startpage.com’s new “Anonymous View” prevents websites – including their third-party trackers – from directly communicating with you. Anonymous View helps protect users from getting profiled by third-party websites because the third party does not learn your IP address and does not see any cookies from past sessions. These measures can help you avoid being a target for later advertising.

      Anonymous View provides protections that a VPN doesn’t. While VPNs can hide your IP address, they don’t block trackers that use device fingerprinting. They typically let in cookies, allow session storage, and permit device fingerprinting. Startpage’s Anonymous View, on the other hand, incorporates techniques that interfere with all of those. (That’s *not* to say VPNs are a bad idea! Startpage.com adds another layer of protection.)

      When you see a tracker or advertisement within the Anonymous View, that doesn’t mean the site and marketers can “see” you. Startpage.com works to keep them from knowing who you are, either directly or indirectly, through browser fingerprinting. The website and its trackers will see Startpage.com’s IP address rather than yours. Cookies and session storage are handled by Startpage.com so that they do not persist on your computer. Third party sites will often see a generic User Agent rather than your own.

      To help thwart trickier websites, Startpage.com’s Anonymous View also typically masks the Location API, WebRTC location, Gyroscope, Battery Access API, and more. Generally, browser fingerprinters try to combine many of these types of information – not just one – into a unique identifier. By altering so many identifying pieces of information, when a particular piece of information can be accessed (for example, as browsers evolve, and as new or unusual techniques are discovered), the other masked information can prevent browser fingerprinting.

      Startpage.com uses automatic and manual techniques to help discover and prevent new device fingerprinting approaches.

      With Startpage.com’s Anonymous View, you can browse with far greater safety.

      Thanks for the feedback on the preview! The reason for the extended preview is to identify any potential issues and tweak based on user reports and requests. The official version will launch later in November.

  16. Satoshi Nakamoto said on October 30, 2018 at 9:00 am
    Reply

    The main thing I don’t like about about the current Startpage design is that when you just try to select the preview text of a search result, it will automatically take you to that site. As for privacy goes, that’s a huge design flaw.

    And what’s worse, when I reported this issue to Startpage, they said they didn’t know what I was talking about and asked me to send screen shots. Really? Are they that dumb? Hmm.

    But now I see this new design has normal search results links, where any part of the preview text can be simply selected and copied without that stupid auto-redirect feature we have now.

    Overall, I like the new design. It reminds me of how Google search has looked in the past.

    As for that new Startpage logo, I think it looks goofy, but perhaps that is fitting for this company?

    Seriously though, I’m glad they are trying to improve Startpage, but I’m not going to waste any more of my time with giving them my professional advice, unless they pay me.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 1, 2018 at 7:21 pm
      Reply

      Hi Satoshi. So glad you like the new design link action and the overall new design. Please check out the new “Anonymous View” feature in the preview that extends privacy. Now after you search in privacy, you can immediately visit the results links you find in privacy, too.

  17. O said on October 29, 2018 at 4:46 pm
    Reply

    Will the current classic look still be available?

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 1, 2018 at 7:18 pm
      Reply

      Hi, O. If you’re talking about the “air” theme with the clouds, it is already an option. Look in the “Settings” area.

  18. Alan said on October 29, 2018 at 2:49 pm
    Reply

    I know some may answer this with “upgrade!”, but the “Anonymous View” does not work with Windows XP and Firefox 52.9. It just stays on the picture of the paper bag. It is a web related proxy afterall and I do hope that it is not just for modern computers and systems, as I have used Startpage.com for many years.

    Also, it would be great, if possible, to be able to log in to a person’s email address (and other log in sites) using the Startpage proxy. I know there is a security issue there, but it would be great if this could be done if possible, to increase more privacy.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on November 1, 2018 at 7:16 pm
      Reply

      Thanks for your feedback. Alan. I’m sharing this with the Startpage.com team.

      Yes, security, as well as privacy, is a big concern. I understand that is why logging into sites is restricted.

  19. 11r20 said on October 28, 2018 at 5:22 pm
    Reply

    Actually Miss Liz, the old Ublock-O legacy extention 1.13.8 blocks amazonawl even when using DDG

    I also block amazonawl’s address with NetLimiter, so for those who are already avoiding certain services/providers, speed is not an issue

  20. gazoo said on October 27, 2018 at 11:22 pm
    Reply

    Yes! They removed a major annoyance for me – which was the ability to highlight text below the title (after a search result). Previously, the darker/smaller text underneath the larger blue title was also “hot”.

    Now I can highlight text in that area and right-click for more options.

    ps: I really dislike the often negative comparisons between Startpage and DDG. These two orgs are doing a tremendous job bringing privacy issues to the forefront. Their, hopefully, ‘friendly’ competition will bring out the very best from these two and other similar search front-ends.

    1. Satoshi Nakamoto said on October 30, 2018 at 9:18 am
      Reply

      @gazoo

      Ha, I just posted a comment about this same issue..

      Yup, that “hot” feature they have now is bad, as it redirects unknowing users to sites that they may not want to visit. As such, that is clearly a privacy issue.

      But I expect they knew about this, but didn’t care, as they want those clicks, so they can show investors that folks are using their site more than they would be otherwise. This is a well know trick that shady web designers use, AKA hidden links. Totally lame.

      They are lucky we even complain, as most users likely just think “screw that” and never come back.

  21. Juha T said on October 27, 2018 at 4:23 pm
    Reply

    I dont find it faster than the original startpage, still takes 3+ seconds to load the search results. Duckduckgo or Qwant is still faster. Hopefully they’ll get there when this goes live.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 27, 2018 at 11:52 pm
      Reply

      Hi Juha. Startpage.com allows you to avoid U.S. servers in the settings. That can make a difference, depending upon your location. DuckDuckGo will be a hair faster because it uses Amazon AWS.

      Thanks for the feedback! I let the team know to look into whether the speed can be improved (though they’ve gotten reports from others that Startpage.com is now speedier).

  22. Cigologic said on October 27, 2018 at 1:58 pm
    Reply

    Some feedback on StartPage’s redesign …

    1) USER INTERFACE
    • Presence of unsightly & uselessly large blank gap (6 cm wide) on left side of search results page, as seen in desktop browser on 14-inch screen — in old StartPage, this space is occupied by time-based search filters. That redundant gap does not exist in simulated mobile view in same desktop browser.

    • Dark Mode’s dackground (medium-navy blue ?) is not dark enough, such that Dark Mode appears akin to “More Colourful Mode” instead.

    2) MISSING (MUST-HAVE) FEATURES
    • Cache view of webpages
    • Search Filter: by custom period of time, ie. between 2 specified dates (DD-MM-YYYY)

    3) BUGS
    • Web search results: “Anonymous View” links all open in ixquick-proxy.com page with upper pane showing an animated image of a “something” wearing a necktie & a paper bag over its head, whilst lower footer-pane shows “Anonymous View by Startpage.com” etc. — regardless of whether JavaScript is enabled or not.

    • Image search results: “Anonymous View” links all open in ixquick-proxy.com page with totally blank upper pane, whilst lower footer-pane shows “Privacy policy” etc. when JavaScipt is enabled. If JavaScript is disabled, new StartPage briefly shows a message indicating that target page disallows anonymous views, before embedding the target image itself on the upper pane. This seems to happen for every image I tried to open anonymously.

    • Above bugs do not occur on old StartPage

    4) LOADING SPEED
    • Not quite “Google speed” yet, but faster than previously (which is a low bar, because the old StartPage is extremely slow)

    • Image search results always load faster if JavaScript is disabled. Note: Browser cache is cleared before image searches are repeated with JavaScript disabled, so the increased loading speed is not due to browser fetching content from cache.

    5) QUALITY OF SEARCH RESULTS
    • No improvement — THIS is the deal-breaker that discourages me from using StartPage as a preferred search engine. Pls see my previous comment:
    https://www.ghacks.net/2018/10/25/preview-of-the-new-startpage-com/#comment-4393939

  23. Hy said on October 27, 2018 at 9:16 am
    Reply

    I have been a heavy, daily Startpage user for I think at least five years now. I love the current sky-blue background with the clouds–I find it cool and beautiful and very comfortable and pleasant to look at and use. I really love Startpage and have been recommending it to others all these years, and because of my good experience with Startpage I even signed up for a paid Startmail account.

    I absolutely cannot stand this proposed Startpage design change! That purplish color is hideous, not beautiful at all…I find it extremely unpleasant to look at. In fact, the entire re-design looks to me so ugly and just a giant step backwards. It looks so plain and boring and old and cheesy and cheap, like an old Yahoo or other search engine from 20 years ago. More importantly, if I didn’t already know about Startpage and came across this re-design, I wouldn’t trust it. It just looks too old and ugly and cheap to me.

    I don’t like the shape of the search box, with the rounded ends. So many things about the proposed re-design just look cheesier and cheaper to me.

    Besides the hideous purple color being so much harder on the eyes, the smaller, thinner, lighter-colored font on the results page is MUCH more difficult to read.

    I don’t like having more clicks and mouse manipulation to select time range, advanced, etc.
    I want everything to be as “one-click” as possible.

    Where is the “Bookmark” link to bookmark the search? This is important to have.

    I dislike almost everything about this proposed re-design except two things: the number of results has returned, and the anonymous proxy feature seems better–it renders more quickly, and the placement of the indication of it at the bottom is better and less intrusive. But that awful purplish color!! OMG! PLEASE bring back the beautiful blue! That purplish color is HIDEOUS!

    People use search engines so many times every day. It really “colors,” so to speak, one’s experience of the web and using the internet. It is important to have beautiful, pleasant, easy-on-the-eye color schemes, and clear and easy-to-read search results.

    Please don’t change Startpage to this ugly purple color. Please keep the current beautiful blue color. Please don’t do this to us, your loyal users!

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 27, 2018 at 5:43 pm
      Reply

      Hello Hy. Thank you for caring about privacy and using Startpage.com for so many years!

      Your input is highly valued and *exactly* why Startpage.com is having an extended preview period. The team hopes to take all this feedback and tweak the final version before official launch. The team will continue to improve the design and features as time goes on, as well.

      I will pass your feedback along to the Startpage.com team. Also, please feel free to email the team with any impressions, ideas and requests. Here’s the email address: DesignFeedback@startpage.com.

      Have you tried the new “air” theme with the clouds? You can set that theme in the new “Settings” area. Once you try it, please email your feedback.

      Thanks so much!

  24. Robert said on October 27, 2018 at 1:36 am
    Reply

    Looks good. I’m wondering if they are also working on a new startmail theme as well.

  25. ULBoom said on October 27, 2018 at 12:56 am
    Reply

    The new design looks mostly fine, the air and dark themes are nice, default theme too stark. With an element blocker, that junk that makes the search page a meter long is gone.

    Works well, would be nice if you could get more than 20 results per page, duckduck loads pages below the first one if it’s set up that way. Other than not a lot of customization, this version of startpage is vastly better than the sluggish version I tried a few years ago.

    Since they give different results, I wonder if there’s a way to enter a search and have two engines search simultaneously, say startpage and duckduck?

  26. Eva said on October 26, 2018 at 11:28 pm
    Reply

    I routinely keep trying new search engines, but unfortunately always end up back at Google. I’ve never disliked StartPage, but I hated the 90’s style interface they used, which was definitely part of the reason why I never used it. It was pretty dank; FOSS software has the same problem and is also a major barrier to them gaining any mainstream adoption—it needs to be visually appealing to the masses, not just technically functional.

    I’ve been using the new StartPage for the past day or so and it’s good to see a redesign. I really like the new site, I think it’s a massive improvement and will use it as my default search engine for a bit and see how I get on with it. There are a few things I would improve so far though:

    1) If StartPage are using Google for their search results, I don’t understand why they can’t also tap into the custom date range that Google (and Bing) have for narrowing down search results. This allows you to search between specific date ranges. There’s too much information not to have a custom date range search capability in a search engine, especially when trying to carry out research, rather than say just searching for a hotel room. For example:

    – Trying to find news/website articles that were posted about a certain event/product/whatever between a certain date range (I.E. Say between January 2007 and December 2008).

    – Trying to filter information from only the last 3 years (I.E. Such as 2015 onwards).

    – Trying to show information from a date before a big event happened and polluted the search results (I.E. Such as before 2018-08-20).

    2) The Video search results only show YouTube videos. It would be good if it was able to show other video search results—such as Vimeo—as well (I.E. site:vimeo.com).

    3) If the video results were to include other sites other than YouTube, them the URL should be displayed in video results as well, which they aren’t currently.

    4) The Video results only show Relevant/Popular/Recent for the date range. It should allow the same date ranges as the web searches (also see 1 above about that).

    5) The Video results don’t need to include the day. If the video was from 15 May 2013, adding the day of the week is somewhat irrelevant and only adds extra clutter.

    6) The Video results for YouTube videos should include the channel name so it’s easy to spot official channels in the search results like ‘CanonUSA’, or well known channels like ‘OfficialNerdCubed’.

    7) The Image search results don’t allow a date range at all. It should allow the same date ranges as the web searches (also see 1 above about that). If I want to search for screenshots of the Tutanota mail interface, or EMClient interface, posted in the last six months for example, I can’t do that.

    That said, I think the new StartPage is the best of the alternative search engines. Despite DuckDuckGo’s rising popularity over the years (now up to 30 million searches per day), I never particularly liked it; going back maybe 3-4 years some of us complained about the date range being too limited, but even to this day you can still only filter by past day/week/month—despite the CEO of DuckDuckGo being present in that discussion years ago. So I would like to see StartPage go from strength to strength and be on par with Google search, but without all the invasive tracking and profiling.

    1. Amaru said on October 29, 2018 at 3:22 am
      Reply

      Thank you Eva for posting this. You articulated my own needs coherently. Glad to see I’m not the only one that is seeking these.

      I switched to DuckDuckGo long ago, but I really miss the video search filters of other search engines. I hate the fact that DDG only shows YouTube results. Only my utter dislike of Bing and Google keep me from going back. If I could get the privacy of DDG with the video search capabilities of Bing or Google, I would easily switch over to Startpage.

    2. Liz McIntyre said on October 28, 2018 at 7:13 pm
      Reply

      Thanks for these recommendations and comments @Eva. So glad you like the new Startpage.com better!

  27. 11r20 said on October 26, 2018 at 8:24 pm
    Reply

    I’m still using the Original startpage and ixquick address still occasionally comes up in the address bar; I think it’s great.
    It’s fast and the design doesnt bother me…
    Keeping the original browser on this V-machine and using the new browser on office machines and it works fine as well.

    With Ghacks Miss Pants settings I run DDG, dogpile,goodgopher,metager et’al to avoid
    and cancel out the Google,Fakebook,Amazon 5eye data vacuuming

  28. Sam said on October 26, 2018 at 2:51 pm
    Reply

    Not sure if this is relevant, but one worry I have is that Privacy Badger finds a lot more possible trackers when using the new “anonymous view” rather than the current “Proxy”, although granted they are colour coded green.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 7:03 pm
      Reply

      Thanks for that comment, Sam. I’ll have to check that out and get back to you. I can tell you that Startpage.com works very hard to ensure freedom from tracking cookies and other invasive tracking schemes.

      Also, please email your impressions and any issues in the preview that you might find to the Startpage.com team: DesignFeedback@startpage.com Thanks!

  29. Klaas Vaak said on October 26, 2018 at 9:08 am
    Reply

    I am surprised Liz McIntyre isn’t commenting here.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 5:11 pm
      Reply

      Hi Klass. I’ve been answering, but comments have to be approved before they are posted. By the time you see this message, you’ll hopefully see several of my posts.

      Thanks for thinking of me. I’m always happy to answer questions. (But I have to say that Startpage fans have been doing a good job of helping here, already.)

      If you have any questions or feedback about the new design preview, also feel free to email the Startpage.com team: DesignFeedback@startpage.com

      1. Klaas Vaak said on October 26, 2018 at 5:50 pm
        Reply

        @Liz McIntyre: welcome back lady. Congrats with the new page. Contrary to a number of whiners on this page, I find the minimalist, straightforward design good, I don’t see why, for a search, one would need anything more.

        A tip to avoid getting your comments cued: make an account, it is very simple, and your comments appear immediately, provided of course you signed in.

      2. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 7:06 pm
        Reply

        Thanks, Klaas. Appreciate the positive feedback AND the recommendation! Will be working on that suggestion right now. I had no idea that signing in would make the difference in posting time. :-)

    2. Oggy said on October 26, 2018 at 5:01 pm
      Reply

      I use StartPage as search engine on Firefox Focus (Android) and the first result is always an ad. Maybe this is how they do their profit.

  30. Tobias said on October 26, 2018 at 8:53 am
    Reply

    “Startpage.com is privately held by Startpage BV, a Dutch inc. and has been profitable since 2004.” (https://new.startpage.com/en/about-us.html)

    Does anyone know what’s their business model?

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 5:07 pm
      Reply

      Hi Tobias. Startpage.com has the answer to that question at its Knowledgebase here: https://support.startpage.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/180/0/how-can-startpage-be-free-how-do-you-make-money

    2. TelV said on October 26, 2018 at 2:55 pm
      Reply

      @Tobias,

      According to Wikipedia, Startpage is owned by Surfboard Holdings B.V. which is also a Dutch company. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixquick

      A secondary search for David Bodnick (the company’s founder who is also an American) turns up another organisation called Web Intensive which created the software to build Startpage apparently. https://webintensive.com/about-us
      Maybe that’s where they derive their income from.

      I notice that they’ve added a filter option to search by the past year which is an improvement. An option to search between two dates like Google has would have been useful though and I’m a bit surprised it hasn’t been included in the update. Still, better than nothing I guess.

  31. Average Joe said on October 26, 2018 at 12:02 am
    Reply

    I’m not interested in what search engines look like. Google is still king even though it is extremely biased and todays interwebs are poisoned with pedestrian opinion sites. Startpage results seem limited but more relevant than DDGs on technical/knowledge merit. Perhaps Startpage should develop its own crawlers and deploy a true search engine of the caliber google once was at its peak, circa 2008… aka unbiased results in all subjects and not limited to a few carefully manipulated results in a blatant attempt to condition the thoughts of insects.

  32. Emanon said on October 25, 2018 at 11:54 pm
    Reply

    Startpage is a pretty weak search engine, plus I hate false propaganda “Google search results” is easy to see they’re lying.

    Simply search the same word on both (Startpage and Google), and you’ll notice Startpage falls extremely short, even DuckDuckGo is more accurate.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 6:55 pm
      Reply

      Hi Emanon. There *will* be differences between what Google shows and what Startpage.com shows. That’s a *good* thing for people who prefer unbiased search results.

      Startpage.com does not log or share any user personal information like Google and other “regular” search engines. This means SP *cannot* tailor results to you based on personal information, like Google does.

      Google displays information to you based on what it thinks you want to see or should see based on your past searches and other information it has on you in its profile database. This can put you in an “echochamber of ideas” where you see more of the same. Startpage.com helps you break through this “filter bubble” so you see more possibilities than you might see otherwise when using Google.

      I encourage you to try out some of the new Startpage.com preview features. The new “Filter” icon allows for more precise searching, and the new “” feature tells SP to return only results that contain the specific phrase you put in quotes.

      The Startpage.com team would love to get your feedback. You can email them here: DesignFeedback@startpage.com. Thanks!

      1. Cigologic said on October 27, 2018 at 12:50 pm
        Reply

        > “There *will* be differences between what Google shows and what Startpage.com shows.”

        @ Liz McIntyre — It might be good for StartPage to seriously investigate if the “differences” are caused by Google providing a LIMITED subset of search results to third-party search engines such as StartPage.

        In other words, “Google [supplies] information to [StartPage, etc.] based on what it thinks [StartPage. etc.] … should [get]” — before any of the results is even displayed to StartPage’s end-user.

        And to check if the above apparent restriction is due to a bug on Google’s end — or if it is by intent (eg. for the purpose of diminishing the effectiveness of search competitors utilizing Google’s search results).

        Over the years, it has been my & numerous users’ experience that StartPage serves up MUCH FEWER results than Google for the the exact same search term (using precise search syntax & parameters) carried out simultaneously (eg. in different incognito tabs, or even different privacy-hardened browsers).

        In fact, for the more obscure search terms, StartPage will serve 0 or just 1 result, even though Google serves 1-2 pages of relevant results — ie. the search term is found verbatim on all of the given unique/non-duplicate URLs.

        Personally, I don’t think the flaw is inherent or unique to StartPage per se, because it is possible to exactly replicate these same “0 or only 1 result” search scenarios every single time in other third-party search engines that also claim to “use Google results”.

        > “Google displays information to you based on what it thinks you want to see or should see based on your past searches and other information it has on you in its profile database. ”

        It is unlikely that Google & other “regular” search engines are supplying me personalized search results as based on user info, custom settings, previous search/browsing history & the like, for the reasons outlined below.

        Note: The limitations of StartPage & similar search engines are starker & easier to see, when search test-cases are conducted using precise but relatively obscure search terms for items known to currently exist somewhere on the internet.

        • No user account with search providers — not possible to deliberately or accidentally log in before undertaking any web search or browsing activity
        • Block cookies by default
        • Block all known trackers using browser prefs & anti-tracking browser addons
        • Use of extensive HOSTS file to block all known & emerging tracking domains

        • Clear entire browser cache multiple times per session & before browser exit
        • Use different privacy-hardened web browsers, as well as “disposable” portable browsers where nothing is retained on disk or in RAM
        • Use different OSes, including Linux-based liveCDs where nothing is stored to disk

        • Dynamic IP address (courtesy of ISP, even though certain web services may fail due to having an IP address that changes every 2-4 seconds)
        • Trial searches with VPN using static IP address of different exit-nodes around the world

      2. Liz McIntyre said on October 27, 2018 at 5:28 pm
        Reply

        Hi Cigologic. Sounds like you’ve worked very hard to protect yourself from trackers. Have you also protected yourself from fingerprinting? People with unique signatures from special blocking software could actually be more at risk from fingerprinting.

      3. Cigologic said on October 27, 2018 at 9:21 pm
        Reply

        > “Have you also protected yourself from fingerprinting?””

        @ Liz McIntyre — Yes, my setup is such that browser prefs, addons & HOSTS are configured to protect against fingerprinting via HTML5 Canvas, WebRTC, WebGL, browser user agent, local storage, browser tab name/history, installed browser addons/plugins, etc.

        Meanwhile, I don’t try to disguise my screen size (although I could), because there is nothing unusual about my screen.

        To see what the real issue is, perhaps StartPage’s developers can conduct relevant search experiments using different truly portable & stealth** browsers (always delete & wipe their working folders after a SINGLE use) on different PCs with different specs & located at different geographic locations. Even better, format the disk of the test PCs, reinstall the OS, & redo the same search experiments.

        ** Note: “Stealth” in the sense that whatever the application writes is strictly confined to its working folder, so that everything is definitely removed after the working folder is permanently deleted. (As opposed to so-called “portable” browsers that require no installation, but disperse their settings & traces outside of their working folder, ie. within the filesystem &/or registry of the host PC.)

      4. Klaas Vaak said on October 28, 2018 at 8:23 am
        Reply

        @Cigologic: a portable program, whether browser or other, does not change anything in the registry and may or may not “disperse their settings and traces” in the Appdata/Roaming folder, like installed programs do.

  33. Stan said on October 25, 2018 at 10:59 pm
    Reply

    After playing around with it I just emailed them about the lack of the Night theme.
    Could that new design possibly be more dull and boring ?

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 5:04 pm
      Reply

      Hi Stan. Check the “Settings” area. There is now a “Dark” theme. Fans asked for it, and Startpage.com delivered.

      1. Stan said on October 26, 2018 at 8:40 pm
        Reply

        No you didn’t the ‘dark theme’s the ugly dark blueish thing above that I’m referring to.

      2. Liz McIntyre said on October 27, 2018 at 5:08 pm
        Reply

        Hi Stan. The Startpage.com team would love to get your input on things you like, as well as those you’d like to see change. That’s what the preview is for.

        You can email the team: DesignFeedback@startpage.com with your ideas

        Thanks so much for caring about search privacy and for helping make Startpage.com the best it can be for everyone.

      3. Stan said on October 27, 2018 at 9:43 pm
        Reply

        Are you a humanoid or bot ?

        My original post states I already emailed to the site you have now linked to 12 TIMES !? !

        @I believe there’s a name for this…Suffice to say adios StartPage, search engine and bookmark….

      4. Liz McIntyre said on October 28, 2018 at 7:08 pm
        Reply

        Hi Stan. Forgive my oversight. With so many posts, it’s hard to remember each one and who wrote it. –> Real live person here with a beating heart, btw. =)

      5. Klaas Vaak said on October 28, 2018 at 7:14 pm
        Reply

        @Liz McIntyre: Stan seems to have a problem to understand certain basics, poor fellow.

    2. Klaas Vaak said on October 26, 2018 at 9:04 am
      Reply

      @Stan: why do you need a fancy design when all you want is to look up a search term? I don’t get all the whining in this thread about the design.

      1. Stan said on October 27, 2018 at 3:21 am
        Reply

        No you don’t get it. The use of the word “whining” confirms that.

      2. Klaas Vaak said on October 27, 2018 at 12:59 pm
        Reply

        @Stan: sorry to have hurt your feelings. If you don’t like Startpage, why not use something else, there is plenty of choice, unless someone is holding a gun to your head to use Sp, in which case I would pity you.

  34. ddk said on October 25, 2018 at 10:16 pm
    Reply

    I gave up on SP quite awhile ago as it was sooooooooo sloooooooow to load anything. Sometimes it would just hang forever.

    Meta engines like SearX and maybe Dogpile seem to be better when needing a variety of results, at least you’ll get multiple sources (and more relevant answers) with a lot of searches.

    That might offset some of the censorship activity too.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 5:02 pm
      Reply

      Should be much faster now. Please give the preview a try and send feedback to: DesignFeedback@startpage.com. Thanks!

    2. user17843 said on October 25, 2018 at 11:38 pm
      Reply

      It becomes quicker when you disable JS. They are using JS to load ads into the results, but I am not sure how they manage to make it so slow. Hope it will get better with the new version.

  35. chesstauren said on October 25, 2018 at 9:34 pm
    Reply

    One of the reasons to use an anonymous search engine is porn, but unfortunately if you search for “big tits” or “met-art” you get very safe results, even if you disable any filtering in the settings. You have to be very explicit to get what you want.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 5:00 pm
      Reply

      Never thought I’d be helping someone with a porn search, but here goes…

      The goal of the new Startpage.com is to make searching for *any* topic or desire faster and better. Look for the “Filter” icon on the search results page. For your situation, the “Advanced Search” option might be just what you need. If you prefer a certain country or time frame, you can now also select that in the “Filter” area.

      One of my favorite new features is the “” feature. This allows you to narrow down your search so the results *only* include the exact phrase you put in quotes.

      And, of course, the new “Anonymous View” proxy is a very good feature for you. It’s much faster than the old proxy and many more pages “work” than in the past.

      The team would love your feedback. Please email them with any observations, bugs or recommendations: DesignFeedback@startpage.com. Thanks so much!

    2. John Fenderson said on October 25, 2018 at 10:10 pm
      Reply

      @chesstauren

      Porn is what Bing is for.

  36. Yuliya said on October 25, 2018 at 9:08 pm
    Reply

    The search is broken to me since they merged StartPage and ixquick. Watch the number of results found as I click next page a few times: imgur.com/6OhJcCI
    It initially says it finds thousands of results but it only finds 50-some, sometimes even less. It happens on every search I try. And it’s funny because ixquick worked fine. In the past StartPage worked fine as well, it got broken a bit before merging.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 4:47 pm
      Reply

      Hi Yuliya. Thanks for reporting that issue with search results! This is exactly what the preview is for. Very helpful. The team will want to look into that.

      The team is very interested in your feedback. Please share your impressions and any other bugs by emailing designfeedback@startpage.com. Thanks so much!

  37. Anonymous said on October 25, 2018 at 9:00 pm
    Reply

    A problem with Startpage is that it’s only Google results, so that Google censorship and manipulation of results rankings according to their interests apply fully to Startpage results. Startpage used to make other engines available at ixquick but sadly that option disappeared.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 4:51 pm
      Reply

      Hi Anonymous. Actually, the new Startpage.com is incorporating resources from outside Google, too, like Instant Answers. The team would love your impressions and feedback. Please email them: DesignFeedback@startpage.com. Thanks!

    2. Sebas said on October 25, 2018 at 10:34 pm
      Reply

      That’s exactly my problem with Startpage. Take a look at Good Gopher: https://www.goodgopher.com/

      This is kind of a alt-Right search engine mainly for searching non-MSM media.

      “Here at GoodGopher, we are the anti-Google” from their privacy statement: https://www.goodgopher.com/Privacy.asp

      They have censorship too, and openly admit it, just the other way around :-)

      More serious alternatives: Qwant, Qwant lite, searx, and findx, a Danish based search engine: https://get.findx.com/ were you can install extensions for Firefox and Google Chrome. In Brave browser it is in the list of search engines.

      Findx gives a part of the uBlock Origin options and quite some other options, and promises explicitly to protect against tracking from Google and Facebook. It is open source.

      1. Klaas Vaak said on October 26, 2018 at 10:33 am
        Reply

        @Sebas: Findx is pathetic, its results are way off what one searches for. They may be independent, with all sorts of user controls, but what good is that if you don’t get the results?

      2. Tom Hawack said on October 26, 2018 at 11:10 am
        Reply

        @Klaas Vaak, “Findx is pathetic” … well… yes! Nothing to do with searX (to search and to find, but you find better when searching with searX!).

        One good point though is Findx’s maps, https://www.findx.com/maps … not bad at all. Otherwise, the results of a Web search are, in my experience, rather dull.

      3. Klaas Vaak said on October 26, 2018 at 1:00 pm
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack: right, so its map capabilities make it a niche search engine.

      4. Tom Hawack said on October 26, 2018 at 1:21 pm
        Reply

        @Klaas Vaak, niche I don’t know, I’d say a valid map search alternative to Google Maps, OpenStreetMap and Mappy Maps. Did I say I’m a map lover?!

    3. js said on October 25, 2018 at 10:08 pm
      Reply

      I miss Ixquick.

  38. Haakon said on October 25, 2018 at 8:41 pm
    Reply

    If you’re in the convention of routine cookie deletion (i.e shift-ctrl-delete in Mozilla), your Startpage settings are futile. Otherwise, it’s a great privacy browser. Pre-startpage it was ixquick.com and the user could create a settings custom link: https://ixquick.com/do/mypage.pl?prf=GUID. It didn’t take too long for the administration of that service to become overwhelming and it was dropped. A while back ixquick.com began re-directing to startpage.com.

    1. Klaas Vaak said on October 26, 2018 at 9:00 am
      Reply
    2. lee said on October 25, 2018 at 9:31 pm
      Reply

      @Haakon
      Not true at all. Simply click settings (top right) choose the settings you wish then click “generate url”, the page refreshes and the option to “install custom plugin” appears,. click that to add the search engine to your browser with your preferred settings intact. :)

    3. Shamus said on October 25, 2018 at 8:55 pm
      Reply

      You don’t need cookies to save your Starpage settings. (I block all cookies by default). Click on SETTINGS and jump to the bottom of the page where you are given two options to save your preferences as a URL.

    4. Martin Brinkmann said on October 25, 2018 at 8:42 pm
      Reply

      You can create such a settings link on Startpage as well.

  39. Paul(us) said on October 25, 2018 at 7:29 pm
    Reply

    I really like the new smoother look. And who does not want faster search result?
    And is it me but is the dark setting more dark blue than black? Maybe I have to get used to it.
    And right now I can really calculate or the fewer search possibilities is a good thing. Up to now, I am a firm believer that in case of search options more possibilities is better.

    After upgrading to Firefox 63, I have problems with keeping the by myself predefined start page setting when I reopen Firefox 63, after a cold computer and browser – or a warm browser restart.
    Could this be related with the upcoming upgrade? Anyone else having problems with keeping their predefined settings?

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 4:42 pm
      Reply

      Hi Paul(us). So glad you like the new look and speedier interface!

      The Startpage.com team would love to get your feedback and reports of any issues with the preview version. (They’re trying to address issues before launch.)

      I haven’t heard of any issues with keeping predefined settings, but it’s good to know. Could you send feedback and more details about the settings issue to the team? The email address is: designfeedback@startpage.com.

      Thanks so much!

  40. Tom Hawack said on October 25, 2018 at 6:47 pm
    Reply

    Just tested the preview, search blocked by uBO, even with 3rd-party & 3rd-party scripts & 3rd-party frames set to “noop” (maximum tolerance given my filters). Not for me at this time.

    “The company revealed a preview of the upcoming interface and functionality today that is publicly available.”. Interfaces are always easily improvable with a style; as for the functionality one may hope better results than in the past (and presently), slow and too few. If I compare with searX which is a meta-search engine and calls therefor several search engines and not only Google as Startpage, the former is fast with many results, the latter slow with little results.

    1. Tom Hawack said on October 25, 2018 at 6:54 pm
      Reply

      EDIT my previous post : no idea what happened but I tried again and I got the results this time (without even modifying uBO settings for the site). I’ll give it further testing.

      1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 4:38 pm
        Reply

        Thanks for testing the “new” Startpage.com preview, Tom Hawack! This is in preview mode in order to get fan feedback and fix any issues before launch.

        If you experience any issues, it would be *very* helpful if you could email designfeedback@startpage.com with details. (Even if blips iron themselves out. The team wants to iron out any wrinkles.) The team is also interested in overall impressions and requests. Thanks so much!

      2. Valrobex said on October 26, 2018 at 1:46 am
        Reply

        I’ve been using Ixquick/StartPage for a number of years now, with excellent results (that and DuckDuckGo). I guess I’m in the minority in that the “old” user interface doesn’t bother me at all. However, I am looking forward to faster search results.

        @ Tom Hawack: Your difficulties are obviously caused because you haven’t yet “downgraded” to Windows 10. You might as well get on the damnwagon, err… bandwagon and submit to Micro$oft. Your heroic efforts to resist M$ (along with mine) can not be tolerated. Our days are numbered… :< )

      3. Tom Hawack said on October 26, 2018 at 11:03 am
        Reply

        @Valrobex, no difficulties with accessing Startpage’s results as I explained it in my EDIT of first comment. Anyway I cannot imagine at this time the impact of a Windows OS on the rendering of a Web page unless to consider that administrators would build their site in such a way that Windows 10 would be privileged for a correct display : that would be a scoop, is it true?

        I won’t “downgrade” to Windows 10 (because downgrade it would be IMO as in yours) at this time. It’s been nearly 40 months that Win10 was released at it’s still a highly problematic OS. When the time will have come (computer failure on Win7 unable to honor the Web’s requirements) I’m most likely to carry on with Linux, as many of us.

      4. Klaas Vaak said on October 26, 2018 at 11:06 am
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack: just out of interest: have you started experimenting with Linux?

      5. Tom Hawack said on October 26, 2018 at 11:19 am
        Reply

        @Klaas Vaak, I haven’t started experimenting with Linux because I was born lazy; but I was born as well with the minimum state of mind required to say “NO!” rather than to go where I’m told to go should I disagree (if I agree I won’t go opposite for the sake of saying “no”!). What I mean is that I’m most likely to switch to Linux when it’ll be the only alternative to Win10 (Apple is not my fruit). I Know I should start anticipating but as long as good old Win7 anchored on good old 5 year old home PC remain valid I’ll postpone the future to tomorrow!

      6. Klaas Vaak said on October 26, 2018 at 12:58 pm
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack: OK, that’s a clear answer. I am looking @ Linux Mint in a VM guest on my Win PC, that’s why I asked ;-)

      7. Tom Hawack said on October 26, 2018 at 1:17 pm
        Reply

        @Klaas Vaak, that’s interesting. This is not the topic right now but when a Ghacks article will allow your first impressions with Linux to not be considered as off-topic :=) I’ll be most curious to know how a Windows user is discovering and making his way within the thrilling galaxy of Linux!

      8. Klaas Vaak said on October 26, 2018 at 1:36 pm
        Reply

        @Tom Hawack: OK, will do.

  41. js said on October 25, 2018 at 6:27 pm
    Reply

    I hope they fix this: the “Air” theme doesn’t do anything in Advanced Search mode.

    1. Liz McIntyre said on October 26, 2018 at 4:32 pm
      Reply

      Hi js. Not sure what you mean. I switched to “air” theme and performed an advanced search. It worked fine.

      The new Startpage.com is just in preview now because the team wants to listen to what fans have to say and make any needed adjustments. Could you email your findings to designfeedback@startpage.com? That would be very helpful. Thanks!

  42. Anonymous said on October 25, 2018 at 6:27 pm
    Reply

    Startpage is too shady. I’d never recommend it to anyone. Their ties to malware and spam back in the day, as well as hijacking search engines, is too raw for their new “Privacy” promise.

    1. Lisa said on November 20, 2018 at 8:58 pm
      Reply

      This ” new design look” undermines the safety search engine. It totally looks old fuddy – duddy school style format from the 1970’s. Out with the new and in with the old look , is OUT. It’s a turn off, and the classic start page felt above board, but, since, I have been reading the comments, maybe, it’s time to do other searches elsewhere. Take care and have a safe and Happy , fun Thanksgiving. L

    2. Anders said on October 25, 2018 at 8:25 pm
      Reply

      Startpage invited me for a quick look of their redesign about a month ago, I didn’t like it. Today they started flying that banner on the right side “New look, upgraded features, faster search” so I tested it again, still don’t like it.

      The trend of “modern” redesign is awful. Startpage redesign sucks, Reddit redesing sucks while Windows redesign was done by Satan himself.

      1. John Fenderson said on October 25, 2018 at 10:41 pm
        Reply

        @Anders & @Tom Hawack

        I agree that the aesthetic trend these days (modern, material design, etc.) is terrible. I can’t wait until this passes, and can only hope that the fad that replaces it isn’t worse.

      2. Freddy said on October 25, 2018 at 9:57 pm
        Reply

        Yeah! I always did like the square wheel. It performed far better on roads full of potholes.

        The proxy display option for search results is a great improvement, even if occasionally you get an ‘I’m not a robot’ roadblock.

      3. Tom Hawack said on October 25, 2018 at 8:54 pm
        Reply

        @Anders, “The trend of “modern” redesign is awful.”. I couldn’t more agree. An era of technology, business, speed, in all areas, where aesthetic is absent. It seems designers ignore the importance of colors, of their combination, of sizes, ratios… in one word harmony. Not to mention these white pages everywhere with gray, even light gray fonts, not to mention articles which share 2/3 of the 2/3 of a page’s width with that damn left/right column : ok for the column but then use 90% of the page’s width, not 60 or 70. Most sites are horrible and no circumstantial flattery to say that Ghacks is of the few which wants a new visitor to keep on discovering and others to read in a comfortable context.

      4. kalmly said on October 26, 2018 at 4:04 pm
        Reply

        Well said.

      5. manouche said on October 26, 2018 at 9:48 am
        Reply

        Ah …

        the high priests of criticism

        judge and condemn design

        with the only scale ever accepted by them:

        The size of their own belly!

        And oh yes, no real world frogs were harmed in the production of this comment.

      6. ams said on October 27, 2018 at 1:04 am
        Reply

        gave me a chuckle. Thanks, mandouche

      7. js said on October 25, 2018 at 10:04 pm
        Reply

        I totally agree. (Im-)Material Design is the absolute worst. Current web design trends in general are ruining readability: retina-scorching whiteness everywhere, the thinnest, tiniest, palest grey fonts, lack of 3D-ish visual cues for links and buttons, persistent panels that obscure the top, sides, AND/OR bottom of the screen, infinite scroll pages that never seem to get to the end…I could go on and on. I’ve had to rely for a long time now on browser add-ons to bring back some semblance of readability…no thanks to Mozilla and their war on the ability to customize Firefox.

      8. poopoo said on October 28, 2018 at 3:50 pm
        Reply

        I generally agree with what you are saying. Earlier this year Google ruined Material Design! It’s amazing what they can do.

    3. crambie said on October 25, 2018 at 7:51 pm
      Reply

      Not a single example of their supposed shady practices, no surprise there. If anything they’re more trustworthy than DDG. For example they don’t take other people’s money and have EU servers. That plus superior search results makes it my preferred search engine.

      As for the new look it’s fine but I’m not a fan the logo, looks a bit dated. Renaming the proxy options and adding the border’s a good move.

      1. seeprime said on October 25, 2018 at 9:19 pm
        Reply

        crambie: I agree that the logo and even the layout make the site look dated, like it was assembled using an early version of Front Page in the 1980’s.

    4. js said on October 25, 2018 at 7:13 pm
      Reply

      I think your inflammatory comment requires a citation or some evidence. I’ve never heard of anything like what you’re talking about and I’ve used Startpage/Ixquick for years and years. (P.S. Is that you, Sundar Pichai?)

      1. John Fenderson said on October 25, 2018 at 7:32 pm
        Reply

        @js:

        There is malware in the wild called Trojan-Startpage that purports to be a StartPage tool, but actually installs a virus. Startpage is not connected to that malware except for the fact that it’s author is using the name as part of the effort to trick people into installing it.

        There are a lot of people who mistakenly think that the two are connected, and fault Startpage for it. That may be what the commenter is talking about.

        If it’s not that, then I don’t know what he’s referencing, either.

      2. js said on October 25, 2018 at 9:49 pm
        Reply

        Ah…thanks. I had not heard of that malware. (And thanks for confirming that Anonymous, above, was obviously misinformed.)

      3. Liz McIntyre said on October 27, 2018 at 5:16 pm
        Reply

        Thanks for pointing out this misinformation! DuckDuckGo has also had to fight these kinds of false accusations of being malware. See: https://duck.co/forum/thread/7337/duckduckgo-virus-malware-browser-hijacker-i-f

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