In a bold move to counter U.S. Big Tech, European search engines Ecosia and Qwant have formed a joint venture called the European Search Perspective (EUSP). This partnership, split equally between the two firms, will develop a European-based search index aimed at delivering high-quality, privacy-first search results, particularly in French and German. The new search engine is set to launch in France in early 2025.
Qwant, headquartered in Paris, emphasizes privacy by avoiding user tracking, while Berlin-based Ecosia channels profits into tree planting, pledging to plant one tree for every 50 searches. Both companies currently rely on tech giants like Microsoft for backend infrastructure but aim to break away from third-party dependency through their new joint venture. Rising costs to access Microsoft’s Bing Search API have intensified the need for self-sufficiency, according to Qwant CEO Olivier Abecassis.
The initiative aligns with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates “gatekeeper” firms like Google to grant fair access to their platforms. The EUSP project reflects a growing trend of European companies seeking technological independence, especially as geopolitical tensions highlight vulnerabilities in relying on non-European tech.
Additionally, the venture is designed to support Europe’s transition to AI-driven search. With the rise of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other generative AI alternatives, Ecosia and Qwant see this as a “paradigm shift” in search. By building a transparent data pool for AI applications, the companies hope to future-proof their services in an era where AI is reshaping how people search for information.
