Ixquick & Startpage: History, data protection and significance for SEO

Key insights

• ixquick Founded in 1998 by David Bodnick in New York City, it was an early metasearch engine with a strong focus on privacy.
• Startpage is considered the successor today: Startpage uses only the Google index, but anonymizes the search and does not store any data. The IP address.
• Users can set Startpage as their homepage and default search engine in their browser.
• For SEO purposes, Startpage is smaller than Google; those who rank well on Google usually also appear in Startpage's search results.
• LikeMeASAP supports companies with SEO, web design, backlinks and a clean data protection presence..

Introduction: What is Ixquick and what does it have to do with Startpage?

Ixquick was a Dutch search engineIxquick, which specialized in absolute data protection and anonymity, was a metasearch engine that aggregated search results from various providers such as Yahoo and Yandex, while Startpage relied exclusively on the Google index for its search results. Startpage and Ixquick operated in parallel for a long time; after their merger in 2016, Ixquick was fully integrated into Startpage, thus preserving the user experience and privacy policies.

A Metasearch engine Ixquick aggregates search results, while a traditional search engine typically uses its own index. A browser's start page is the page that appears when you open the browser; a standard search engine processes search terms from the address bar. This article explains how Ixquick and Startpage work, what data is protected, and what this means for SEO.

Historical overview: From Ixquick to the Startpage search engine

• In 1998, David Bodnick founded Ixquick in New York City as a metasearch engine with a focus on privacy.
• In 2000, Ixquick was sold to Surfboard Holding BV in The Hague; Surfboard Holding BV assumed responsibility for Ixquick in 2000 and operated the search engine until its merger with Startpage. This placed Ixquick under a stronger European data protection framework in the Netherlands.
• In 2008, Ixquick received the first European data protection seal of approval, "EuroPriSe," for its strict data protection policies; this award underscores the search engine's high data protection standards. Peter Hustinx, the former European Data Protection Supervisor, was also frequently mentioned in the context of data protection.
• Between 2009 and 2013, Ixquick expanded its features to include SSL encryption, IP anonymization, and the POST protocol. Following the Snowden revelations, user numbers increased significantly.
• In March 2016, Ixquick and Startpage were merged, with Ixquick being fully integrated into Startpage and support for Ixquick being discontinued in 2018.
• In 2019, Startpage was mentioned in German-language media, among others, as being particularly privacy-friendly; some even called it the most discreet search engine in the world.

Technology & Data Protection: How Ixquick and Startpage protect your IP address

An IP address is a technical identifier of your connection. It can allow inferences to be made about your location, device, and behavior. Therefore, not storing it is crucial: Both search engines, Ixquick and Startpage, emphasize privacy protection by not storing IP addresses and not setting cookies to track user behavior.

Ixquick was a metasearch engine that forwarded search queries to multiple search engines simultaneously and anonymized the results to protect user privacy. Ixquick delivered neutral results because no user profiles were created.

The search engine Ixquick used SSL encryption for secure data transmission and employed the POST protocol to prevent data from being stored in the browser history. This was intended to result in less sensitive information ending up in log files. Startpage, Ixquick's successor, uses the Google index for its search results but anonymizes search queries, so no personal data or IP addresses are stored.

Startpage is subject to strict European data protection laws (GDPR) because its operator is based in the Netherlands. Ixquick and Startpage do not store any personal data or IP addresses of users in order to protect their privacy. Search queries on Ixquick and Startpage are anonymized and routed through European servers to prevent access by US authorities. This is not just about advertising, but also about protecting users from profiling, misuse, and unnecessary data collection.

Using Ixquick & Startpage in your browser: Setting your homepage and default search engine

Startpage can be configured as the homepage and default search engine. Historically, Ixquick was also accessible via plugins, the homepage, and the browser's search bar. To set Ixquick or Startpage as the default search engine in browsers like Chrome or Firefox, users must select the "Search engine" option in the browser's settings and add the desired search engine. The steps for setting Ixquick or Startpage as the default search engine are similar in most browsers and usually require opening the menu or settings.

Examples: Setting Startpage as the browser's homepage

Users can also set Ixquick or Startpage as their homepage in browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Safari, which allows for faster use of the search engine.

• Chrome: Open Startpage.com → Menu → Settings → On startup → Open a specific page → Use current page.
• Firefox: Open Startpage.com → Menu → Settings → Homepage → Custom Addresses → Use current page.
• Edge: Settings → Start, Homepage and new tabs → Enter Startpage.com.
• Safari: Preferences → General → Homepage → Enter Startpage.com.

This means that when the user starts the website, they land directly on the Startpage search engine instead of on portals with tracking.

Set Startpage as the default search engine

In Chrome, open Startpage.com, go to Settings → Search engine → Manage search engines and sites, and set Startpage as the default. In Firefox, the official add-on helps; after that, Startpage can also be used in private browsing mode. Mobile users can use the app for Android or iOS. These privacy settings also reduce E-mails, user data and unnecessary tracking signals.

Features of Ixquick/Startpage: Metasearch, filters and private AI features

Ixquick offered web, image, and video search, international phone lookup, and a star rating system: the more sources a result contained, the more relevant it appeared. Settings included options for the number of hits, family filters, language, color scheme, and server location, such as the USA, EU, or Asia. This made Ixquick, for many, the world's most distinctive search engine.

Startpage now offers a user-friendly interface and features like advanced search, which allows users to refine their search queries, whereas Ixquick had a simpler interface in its early days. Startpage offers an "Anonymous View" that allows users to access websites through a proxy server. This means the target website sees the proxy server rather than the visitor.

Ixquick and Startpage are primarily financed through non-personalized advertising based on users' search terms. Unlike traditional search engines that use behavioral advertising, Ixquick and Startpage rely on contextual advertising that does not require any personal user data. Startpage offers an ad-free subscription that guarantees users an ad-free search experience, providing an additional revenue stream.

SEO and online marketing perspective: What role do Ixquick & Startpage play for companies?

For SEO, it's crucial to understand that Startpage derives its results from the Google index. There is no separate "Startpage optimization." On-page SEO, technical aspects, content, backlinks, and local signals should primarily be geared towards Google. SEO Glossary This means that those who are visible on Google also have a good chance on Startpage.

Startpage processes significantly fewer search queries than Google; older Benchmark figures cite several million per day. Google's global reach is many times higher. Nevertheless, Startpage is relevant if your target audience values ​​data privacy: B2B companies, government agencies, law firms, healthcare providers, or IT service providers. DuckDuckGo, Qwant, and MetaGer also demonstrate that private search has a well-established niche.

How LikeMeASAP helps companies with SEO for privacy-conscious users

We at LikeMeASAP optimize websites so that they function correctly when... Google ranking and thus also become visible in privacy-friendly search engines like Startpage. Our products and services include on-page and off-page SEO, high-quality German backlinks, SEO texts, content marketing, local SEO and web design.

We pay attention to loading times, SSL, structured dataWordPress maintenance, clean analytics setups, and transparent resources. For link building, we use metrics like Domain Authority and Trust Flow. Ahrefs Domain Rating and put on High-quality premium backlinks for your websiteOur disavow service helps with toxic links. If your company wants more visibility without unethical abbreviations, book a free initial consultation.

Practical tips: More privacy when searching and browsing

Set Startpage as your default search engine and homepage. VPN services are also helpful, especially when using public Wi-Fi or traveling for business. Tor and proxy servers further hinder tracking but can be slower. Browser extensions can control cookies, reduce fingerprinting, and block trackers.

For companies, a binding policy is worthwhile: pre-configuring company browsers, training employees, documenting data protection guidelines, and offering the Startpage search engine as an option. This isn't a guarantee against all data trails, but it's a sensible step towards less tracking in everyday life.

Summary: Ixquick, Startpage and the future of privacy-friendly search

Ixquick began in 1998 as a privacy-focused metasearch engine, was further developed under the holding company BV Surfboard, and merged into Startpage in 2016. Startpage now uses Google search results but removes personal data from the query. While Google remains the primary channel for SEO, data privacy is becoming increasingly important for brand trust.

• Startpage does not store IP addresses or search histories.
• For SEO, Google measures are primarily worthwhile, which indirectly also cover Startpage.
• Companies should consider visibility, technology, and data protection together.

FAQ about Ixquick & Startpage

Is Ixquick still usable today or has it been completely replaced by Startpage?

Since 2018, Ixquick.com has essentially redirected to Startpage. Ixquick.eu existed for a time as a metasearch engine, but for new installations, users should use Startpage directly.

What is the difference between a metasearch engine like Ixquick and a standard search engine like Startpage?

A metasearch engine queries multiple services simultaneously and combines the results. Ixquick, for example, used star ratings for this purpose. Startpage accesses the Google index directly, but anonymizes the search.

Do SEO measures on Google automatically affect my ranking on Startpage?

Yes, generally. Since Startpage uses Google search results, good content, clean technology, and backlinks also have an impact there. Startpage's own ranking factors are not known.

Is Startpage, as a default search engine for companies, GDPR-compliant?

Startpage complies with European data protection laws and does not store user profiles. However, companies should still review their own documentation, processing records, and contracts.

How can LikeMeASAP help me if my target audience is privacy-conscious?

LikeMeASAP connects SEO strategy: , quality backlinksGDPR-compliant website structure, local SEO, and strong SEO texts. This is how you get found and simultaneously fit a privacy-friendly brand.