What Is Ecosia Used For: Features, Reviews & Alternatives
Search engine that plants trees.
Editorially updated Oct 25, 2025
Ecosia
ecosia.org
The overview
What Ecosia is for
1Core Capabilitie
- Search query input field
- Ranked organic search results display
- Image, Video, News, and Maps search tab
- Predictive search suggestions (autocomplete)
2Specialized Workflow
- Real-time tree counter display
- Direct links to reforestation project detail
- Privacy-focused search protocol (no permanent user profiles)
- Ad-supported revenue model for tree planting
Who it helps
Useful ways to use Ecosia
A practical path
Initiate a Search Query
Navigate to .org in your web browser. Type your desired keywords or phrase into the central search bar and press Enter or click the search icon
External signals
Reviews & reputation
Aggregated review score
Users consistently praise Ecosia for its unique environmental mission, allowing them to contribute to reforestation through their daily search activity. The search quality is generally regarded as competitive, leveraging Bing's index, while its commitment to user privacy is a significant draw. Some users occasionally note minor differences in result relevance compared to market leaders, but this is often outweighed by the positive impact.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
1How does Ecosia fund tree planting if it's free to use?⌄
Ecosia generates revenue primarily through search ads displayed on its results pages. When users click on these ads, Ecosia earns a commission. A significant portion of this profit is then allocated to various tree-planting initiatives worldwide, rather than being retained as profit.
2What data does Ecosia collect, and how does it protect user privacy?⌄
Ecosia emphasizes user privacy. It anonymizes all searches within one week, does not create permanent user profiles, and does not sell user data to advertisers. While some non-personal data is collected for search improvement and ad relevance, it's handled with a strong privacy commitment.
3Can Ecosia be set as the default search engine in my browser?⌄
Yes, Ecosia can be easily set as the default search engine in most popular web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. This typically involves navigating to your browser's settings and selecting Ecosia from the list of available search providers.
4How does Ecosia's search result quality compare to other major search engines?⌄
Ecosia sources its search results from Bing, enhanced with its own algorithms and web crawlers. This means users generally receive high-quality, relevant results comparable to other major search engines, while also benefiting from Ecosia's privacy policies and environmental mission.
5Where can I see proof of the trees planted and the projects supported?⌄
Ecosia maintains a high level of transparency regarding its environmental impact. Users can visit the 'Our Trees' or 'Projects' section on the Ecosia website to view detailed reports, financial statements, and information about the specific reforestation projects and partners they support globally.
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