Berlin-based Ecosia and Parisian Qwant have partnered to launch the European Search Perspective (EUSP), a project to establish a new search engine network index, headquartered in Paris. EUSP aims to offer Europe an alternative to global search engines like Google and Bing, providing search results that better reflect local businesses and user preferences in Europe. Ecosia’s CEO, Christian Kroll, known for his environmental focus, expressed that this new project could eventually offer more sustainable travel options, such as eco-friendly railway routes, in search results. Currently, Ecosia depends on licensed results from Google and Bing but aims to deliver a unique European search experience through EUSP.
A Balanced Partnership for Independence
EUSP is a joint venture in equal parts, with Ecosia contributing financial and information resources, while Qwant supplies labor. OVHcloud, a French tech company, will support the project’s infrastructure, with Qwant offering part of its share. Ecosia currently serves 1% of the search market in France and Germany and has 20 million global users, while Qwant has a user base of 6 million. Although both companies have limited resources—Ecosia’s revenue fell by 8% to €24.2 million in the first nine months of 2024—they are open to external funding. This joint venture could bring in additional resources by licensing the index to other companies, potentially for AI training and other applications.
Creating a comprehensive and high-quality search index, one capable of competing with Google, is challenging due to Google’s longstanding technological expertise. However, EUSP plans to leverage advanced technologies and capitalize on European regulations designed to limit the dominance of tech giants. The timing aligns well with rising demand for privacy-conscious and locally tailored search options. Past attempts by platforms like Brave and Neeva to create independent search indexes showcase the potential for new entrants. Additionally, the rising costs for Bing licenses may encourage companies to adopt alternatives, providing further incentives for EUSP’s growth.
Future Prospects for European Search Alternatives
EUSP’s search engine will be available in France early next year, expanding to Germany by the end of 2025, notes NIX Solutions. With robust testing and optimization, EUSP aims to match Google’s speed and accuracy, possibly becoming Europe’s answer to South Korea’s Naver, which succeeded where Google struggled with local relevance. Ecosia and Qwant are confident in EUSP’s ability to penetrate underrepresented markets in Europe and beyond. In regions underserved by current tech giants, such as Ethiopia, search results often lack local sensitivity, creating an opportunity for EUSP to offer tailored, reliable content for diverse audiences. As this project progresses, we’ll keep you updated on its developments and the unique benefits it brings to European users.