Frequently Asked Questions
What is Waterfox Private Search?
Waterfox Private Search is a privacy-focused meta-search engine that provides search results from popular search engines without allowing those companies to build profiles on you. We act as an intermediary, processing your searches through our infrastructure to protect your privacy.
What is a meta-search engine?
A meta-search engine is a search tool that sends user queries to selected search engines and returns the results. Unlike traditional search engines that maintain their own web index, we leverage existing search engines while adding privacy protections.
How is this different from using Google directly?
When you use Google directly, they can associate your searches with your identity and build a profile about you. With Waterfox Private Search, your queries are processed through our servers, stripping identifying information before reaching the search providers.
What information do you collect about me?
We collect minimal information necessary to provide the service. We do not log IP addresses with your search queries and do not build profiles of our users' search habits.
Which search engines do you support?
Currently, we support Google as our default search engine. We plan to add support for Brave, Bing, and Mojeek in the future. We're continually working to add more search providers based on user feedback and demand.
Are there search limits?
We offer two plans: Standard (500 searches/month) and Unmetered. An active subscription is required to search. See the Pricing page for details.
Do you show ads?
No. Waterfox Private Search does not display advertising in results or the UI. The service is funded by user subscriptions. We do not use ad networks or third-party trackers.
Can I set this as my default search engine?
Yes, we provide an OpenSearch description file that allows you to add Waterfox Private Search as a search engine in most modern browsers. Look for the "Add to Browser" option in the settings menu.
How does the location setting work?
The location setting allows you to see search results as if you were searching from a specific country. This is useful for finding local results without actually being in that location.
Do I need an account to use this service?
Yes. An account is required to use Waterfox Private Search. Authentication and billing are provided by Clerk. You can sign in and manage your subscription from your Account Portal.
How do I manage or cancel my subscription?
Open the user menu and select "Manage subscription" to access your Account Portal. You can update payment details, switch plans, or cancel anytime. You can also visit the Pricing page to view plans.
Who is behind Waterfox Private Search?
Waterfox Private Search is developed and maintained by BrowserWorks Ltd, the same company behind the privacy-focused Waterfox browser.