Ecosia
German search engine that plants trees with ad revenue
Berlin-based search provider that donates surplus profits to reforestation and positions itself as a privacy-friendlier alternative to Big Tech search.
About Ecosia
Ecosia was founded in Berlin in 2009 by Christian Kroll as a search engine that uses advertising revenue to fund tree-planting projects. The company publishes financial reports, emphasizes privacy-minded defaults relative to major US search platforms, and has expanded into related climate products while remaining headquartered in Germany.
Why consider Ecosia
- European search alternative with a clear climate mission
- Ad revenue directed to reforestation projects
- Transparent reporting culture unusual among search providers
- Browser extensions and apps for everyday switching
- Practical European option versus Google-scale search defaults
Alternatives
Comparable non-European brands
United StatesDefault global search platform
Bing
United StatesMicrosoft search engine
Yahoo
United StatesPortal and search brand
DuckDuckGo
United StatesPrivacy-focused search
European alternatives
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Brand details
Product categories
Brand ownership
- Ecosia GmbH
- Ecosia
Market presence
- Web search at ecosia.org
- Browser extensions for major browsers
- iOS and Android apps
- Partnerships with climate and NGO projects
- European and global consumer awareness campaigns
Brand timeline
- 2009Ecosia launches in Berlin
- 2010sScales tree planting with growing search volume
- 2018Becomes a purpose-driven steward-ownership style company
- 2020sExpands products beyond core search
- TodayEstablished European climate-focused search brand
Certifications
A B Corporation is a business certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
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