Ecosia, Qwant partner on search engine tech to counter Google’s power [Video]

LISBON, Portugal — Ecosia and Qwant, two search engines competing with Google, announced a partnership Tuesday to build a European search index and reduce their dependence on U.S. Big Tech firms.

The two internet search firms agreed a joint venture, called the European Search Perspective or EUSP, with ownership split 50-50 between both firms. With a view to launch in France in early 2025, the venture aims to serve “improved” French and German language search results.

Ecosia is based in Berlin, while Qwant is headquartered in Paris. Qwant is a privacy-focused search engine that promises not to track users or resell their personal data. Ecosia’s search engine focuses on sustainability, pledging to plant one tree for every 50 searches on its platform.

Search infrastructure is what powers our access to the web, but it’s …