If you’re at all geeky or green, you have probably heard about Blackle. No? How about Google Black? Green Maven? Eco Search? Greenona?
Many of these search engines use Google custom search. Google is fine with that as long as the search engines are manipulating green-minded searchers just to make a profit. Typically, these search engines donate either part of all of the profits to carbon offsets (planting trees).
The following green search engines are divided into those that search the green web and those that simply search the internet at large but also otherwise contribute to the green cause in some way.
GREEN WEB SEARCH
Coming in at 520,000 on Alexa is poor, overlooked EcoEarth dot they have info? It’s actually worth bookmarking this search engine because it’s a wonderful resource – if a bit unslick.
2. Green Maven
Green Maven does all the pre-greening for you. So, for example, you can search “shoes” and you’ll only be shown vegan, or recycled, or vintage shoes.
A Canada-based search engine.
Treehugger loves the layout and the fact that it’s flash-driven. It is pretty gorgeous, actually. Why shouldn’t search look good?
5. Eco Seek
Not to be confused with My Eco Seek (below). Eco Seek has auctions, a blog, green tips, and a strong community vibe. One of the best.
Rollyo’s Mahalo-esque hand-picked site selection offers all kinds of customization. Check out Geofeat’s “green organic eco” search.
Scours the green web, similar to Rollyo.
PURE SEARCH
8. My Eco Seek
It looks a little like Skype. Or Flock. It’s green and blue and cute and it gives you a simple green tip daily. My Eco Seek runs Google ads and it’s Google custom search, too. We like it.
9. Ecocho
Australian Ecocho intended to build on Google’s search technology and ad platform – essentially rerouting a Google search with some extra ads slapped on – in order to buy carbon offsets. Citing violation of AdSense policy, Google quickly put a stop to those hopes from down under. Ecocho is still running, however, so you can use it – and it even comes in black. But TechCrunch’s Arrington is not a fan.
10. Eco Search
Google CSE and green. Eco Search is a top-notch nonprofit engine run by one man on a mission who donates 100% of proceeds to green organizations such as the Sierra Club.
11. Ecoogler
Is it eco-ogler? (That sounds a little sleazy.) Is it e-coo-gler? This Yahoo-based search engine plants trees in the Amazon every time you surf. Over 2,000 trees have been planted so far.
12. Twitoosearch
Another Google CSE, Twitoosearch says that it intends to work for the preservation of owls and other threatened species as well as plant trees through ad-based revenues. These initiatives are still in development.
13. Eco-Find
Portugal-based, Google CSE Eco-Find uses a black screen for energy savings and also includes a daily green tip.
14. Earth Day Logos on Standard Search Engines
Well, this doesn’t quite count, but it’s a nice way for traditional search engines to show their eco solidarity.
15. Gooef
Black, another Google CSE. But no daily tip from the founders (who happen to own Keetsa).
16. Blackle
Another Google CSE with a black screen.
17. Google-Black
18. Black-Google
http://black-google.blogspot.com/
19. Actual Google Goes Black
To raise awareness for Earth Hour (where everyone turns out the lights), Google itself went black. Ironically, this actually increased energy usage – according to none other than Google.
20. Greygle
There are literally dozens of “black” Googles, but did you know about Greygle?
This Google CSE buys carbon offsets and posts the number to the site daily.
22. Greenona
…is not a Google custom search! It’s also distinctly social with a massive tag cloud display and helpful sections such as “top 500 searches” and “top 100 clicked results”. Is Technorati behind this? No, it’s Search Blox Online Media. Their goal is “to provide highly relevant clustered search results”. It’s got prominent social bookmarking features, too. Cool.
23. Green Terroir
Yet another Google custom search, it’s not entirely clear what they’re doing to help the planet, but they do have web-based email links running along the top of the page. (Huh?) Owned by Green Consensus, they say they’re going to purchase carbon offsets with the profits.
24. Search Greener
Search Greener has offset 50 tons of carbon dioxide. Black, and Google custom search.
24. Remember Jeeves?
Ask.com is not green, per se, but the company is working to make its facilities more eco-friendly. That’s probably going to do more in the long run than a black screen.
A narrowly targeted green search engine is the Eco Tourism Launchpad, which helps you green your travel plans.
26. Good Search
Using Yahoo, Good Search donates half of all revenues to a good cause of your choice. We like!
27. GoodTree
Good Tree only donates 12.5%, but the benefit of this green search engine is that it crawls not only Google but Yahoo, Ask, and MSN.
BONUS: GREEN BROWSER
28. Flock
Did you know there’s an eco browser? Flock (Mozilla’s social-media-friendly browser) recently issued an eco-edition that raises awareness about environmental issues, promotes green sites and blogs, and gives 10% of proceeds to an environmental charity of the users’ choice.
Now go and find what you’re looking for!
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26 Comments
August 20th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
You forgot Search Green Travel. Just by using a travel search engine you’re saving the planet. (We’re brand new!) http://searchgreentravel.com
August 20th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
great job summarizing these new sites. Did you see that Ecosearch will soon have its own online store (Ecomall)?
Looks interesting.
Please drop by Living Green, Living Well, I’d like your feedback!
http://livinggreenlivingwell.com
August 21st, 2008 at 7:07 am
Fantastic list! I’d not even heard of a green search engine before!
I like the idea of Green Planet Search but it just takes soooo long to load. When I search I don’t expect to be waiting for the engine to choke into action
Not a search engine, but green anyway… http://www.thegreenrepublic.co.uk
August 21st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Green Blog Sear.ch only searches for articles, news and content from blogs that deal with sustainable and green content and ideas.. It’s a good way to keep track of what’s happening in the green blogosphere..
August 21st, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Awesome list. Here’s another one!
http://www.greensolutionsmag.com
August 21st, 2008 at 9:40 pm
As a second bonus you could add: GreenBar. It is a green toolbar that works in IE. (internet explorer)
It is similar to Flock but is not a browser. It is however loaded with loads of green goodness, like green blogs.
Missy
The Groovy Vegetarian
http://www.groovyvegetarian.com
August 24th, 2008 at 10:36 am
There are around 14 different versions of “black google” online. The best one I’ve found is http://www.cleanblack.com. Cleanblack is the only version that allows you to change the text colors of the google search results. Try it yourself by going to http://www.cleanblack.com/theme/
August 24th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Great green search engines!
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:15 am
Great list. Green and eco friendly search engines…that’s an interesting one! The green revolution seems to be entering every sphere. Keep up the great work, of keeping us informed.
September 16th, 2008 at 6:35 am
I’m 100% behind anything or anybody trying to make a difference to global climate change, but I’m not convinced by some of the resources in this list. I applaud any search engine who donates ALL their profits to improving the environment – you’re doing a great job and trying to make a difference.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:35 am
EcoMall.com is one of the Internet’s oldest and largest environmental directories of earth-friendly companies and resources. Our mission is to offer the tools for sustainable, enlightened, and healthy ways of living, in harmony with each other and the Earth.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I really believe that if we all search with black google and get black results we can save energy.
Google.com gets about 200 million queries a day and each query is displayed for about 10 seconds.That means Google is running for about 550.000 hours every day on some desktop. Assuming that users run Google in full screen mode the shift to a black background will save a total of 15 watts.CRT monitor uses about 74 watts to display an all white web page, but only uses 59 watts to display an all black page.
http://blackgooglesearch.blogspot.com/
December 17th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Hi,
Try the ecowho.com search engine – it is a dedicated search engine (i.e not based on Google or Yahoo) for informative eco and environmental sites. Early days atm but we would be interested in your feedback.
December 25th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
You forgot the original green search engine: http://www.greengamma.com.
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Oh my, You guys forgot one of the simplest, yet one of the best ones powered by Google:
http://www.TheEcoKey.com
While these others focus on planting trees, TheEcoKey.com is different because it cleans the planet by donating to adopt-a-highway, and even removing litter through a foundation they have created. It’s like hiring a maid for the earth! haha.
Set it as your Homepage! (i found a link on the front page)
Reduce Reuse Recycle.
February 6th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Thanks for sharing this list.
February 11th, 2009 at 8:05 am
There is also http://www.ecognight.com
They have full info, Google suggestions and many extras for saving more energy.
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