• TiffyBelle@feddit.uk
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    It’s worth noting that the “trees planted” counter is basically an estimate as to how much ad revenue on average is generated from a user based on their number of searches. If you block ads at all, you’re probably not contributing to their revenue at all, thus planting nothing.

    I like the idea, but don’t see it as worth sacrificing privacy or allowing ads. Tossing a few bucks every now and then to a charity might be a better option for some.

    • Bolt@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      I was under the impression that they anonymized your search results within a week. How is that sacrificing privacy?

      • backpackn@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        You’re right, your IP is anonymized after 1 week. Their privacy policy seems great to me. I just turn off uBlock origin for Ecosia and don’t mind quickly scrolling past a couple of ads at the top of results.

        It’s my firefox default search and I rack up a ton of trees for doing many quick and basic searches. If I ever need a more complex search, I use a different site. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing commitment.

        • NicoCharrua@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year ago

          https://ecosia.helpscoutdocs.com/article/33-how-does-ecosia-make-money

          Ecosia only gets money from ads if you click on a link, so if you quickly scroll past them all the time you might as well leave uBO on.

          They also said you shouldn’t just click on ads randomly, it won’t help.

          They say

          What if I never click on ads?

          That’s fine, every additional user makes Ecosia more attractive to advertisers. The best way to support our mission is to use Ecosia like you would use any other search engine.

          Don’t be concerned if you rarely click on ads, simply by being an Ecosia user you’re adding to the size of our user base and turning an everyday action into something positive. The more people collectively that use Ecosia means we have a wider reach and ultimately can plant more trees.

          • backpackn@lemmy.ml
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            edit-2
            1 year ago

            Their answers there do make it sound like clicks are necessary, but it’s my understanding that advertisers pay for both clicks and impressions. That’s why everyone gets a tree counter that goes up just for searching. Granted it’s a very small earning for impressions, which is why it takes 50+ searches for a single tree.

  • Meshitero@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Been using it for over 10 years. I have loved the transparency reports, and only wish there were other social and environmental programs we could help with an idea like this. You know, other than freerice.

    • Vilian@lemmy.caOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      that’s a long time, if you don’t mind, how many trees did you plant?

      • Bolt@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        Not OC, but my primary computer is currently at 79 after a bit over a year of use.

  • HexagonSun@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Been using this for many many years now. If you think you can’t live without Google, give it a go. VERY rare that I actually need to use another search engine for anything.

  • DarkThoughts@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    It’s shit.

    • You have to enable ads for it to work.
    • It defaults to your IP location to set the default language.
    • You can’t one click toggle to English / International like with DDG but have to go through a drop down menu.
    • Search results ertr hot garbage when I used it.

    At least it got a native dark mode now I guess but it’s still unusable for me.

    • 6mementomori@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      6
      ·
      1 year ago

      i get the rest of the points but ads? they need to get the revenue to actually plant the trees 🤨

      • DarkThoughts@kbin.social
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        1 year ago

        And I will never click on ads, I can’t even stand seeing them, so there would be no revenue anyway. I want search results, not what some algorithm thinks should become my next shopping trip.

        • 6mementomori@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          0
          arrow-down
          2
          ·
          1 year ago

          i very well understand the sentiment but there are exceptions, this is one kinda clever way to make money without relying on someone emptying their wallets for the sake of trees, which, considering they may be already donating to other sources, could be an addition.