Green search engine Ecosia has started delivering its own search results, marking a significant change in the European tech landscape. This development is due to Ecosia’s joint venture with Qwant, called European Search Perspective (EUSP). EUSP has created Staan, a search index dedicated to developing a sovereign, privacy-focused search infrastructure for Europe.
For the first time in its 16-year history, Ecosia users in France will receive some search results directly from EUSP’s independent European index. The rollout aims to serve 30% of French search queries by the end of the year. Christian Kroll, CEO of Ecosia, emphasized the importance of having their own search infrastructure for digital plurality and building a sovereign European alternative. More control allows them to better serve users, develop ethical AI, and focus on tech that benefits people and the planet.
Much of Europe’s tech ecosystem depends on American stacks, impacting sectors from journalism to climate tech. Building an independent search index is a foundational investment in Europe’s competitiveness and democratic control.
Ecosia and Qwant, previously reliant on syndication platforms, are gaining autonomy by creating a European index, offering a competitive alternative for other search engines and AI providers in Europe. Kroll highlighted the importance of competition and sovereignty in digital infrastructure and hopes for continued support for open, privacy-first innovation.
EUSP, unlike Ecosia’s steward-owned model, allows outside investment for long-term infrastructure scaling. EUSP’s search index is also available to other tech companies, providing a base for competition and innovation in areas like generative AI.