Ecosia AI
Ecosia is a privacy-focused search engine that uses its profits to fund climate action, while now offering AI-powered search, AI Chat, AI Overviews, and image generation.
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What is Ecosia AI?
Ecosia is a privacy-focused search engine with a sustainability mission. Unlike conventional search engines, Ecosia says it dedicates 100% of its profits to climate action, with a large portion funding tree-planting and ecosystem-restoration projects. Its website currently reports more than 255 million trees planted.
Ecosia has traditionally positioned itself as an alternative to Google and Bing, providing web search while limiting data collection and personalization. Its search results currently come through partners including Microsoft Bing and, for some users and regions, Google.
The platform has increasingly incorporated generative AI. Ecosia now offers AI Overviews that summarize search results and an AI Chat experience that provides conversational answers, comparisons, explanations, brainstorming and other research assistance. Users can also generate images directly within AI Chat.
Ecosia also operates its own browser, which combines Ecosia Search with privacy features such as ad and tracker blocking, a privacy panel, energy-saving functionality and built-in AI features. Ecosia says its AI is designed around smaller, more energy-efficient models and that its renewable-energy production exceeds the energy consumed by its searches and AI queries.
Key features
- AI Search: Ecosia provides conversational AI search that can generate full-text answers instead of only returning conventional search links.
- AI Overviews: AI-generated summaries appear above search results and include links to relevant sources.
- AI Image Generation: Logged-in users can generate images directly within Ecosia AI Chat and refine them through conversation.
- Privacy-Focused Search: Ecosia limits data collection and says it does not sell users' personal data or build cross-platform personal profiles.
- Climate-Focused Business Model: Ecosia dedicates 100% of its profits to climate action, including tree planting and ecosystem restoration.
- Ecosia Browser: Its browser combines Ecosia Search with tracker blocking, privacy controls, energy-saving features and AI functionality.
- AI-Free Search: Users can disable AI features completely and return to a traditional search experience.
How you can use it
Everyday web search: Ecosia can be used as a conventional search engine for finding websites, information, images and other online resources. Its main differentiation is that search activity contributes to a business model focused on climate action rather than simply maximizing shareholder profit.
AI-powered research: Users can use AI Chat to explore complex questions, compare concepts, brainstorm ideas and obtain conversational explanations. AI Overviews can also summarize information from search results while providing source links for further reading.
Privacy-conscious browsing: Ecosia is suitable for users who want a search engine with a stronger privacy orientation. The company says it does not sell personal data, does not build personal profiles across its services, and anonymizes users' IP addresses after a limited retention period.
Sustainable technology use: Ecosia is particularly relevant to people and organizations that want everyday digital activities to contribute toward environmental initiatives. The company reports funding climate action and biodiversity projects across more than 35 countries.
Plans & pricing
Ecosia Search is free to use and does not operate on a conventional subscription model. It generates revenue primarily through search advertising and uses its profits to fund climate action.
Ecosia's AI features are integrated into its search experience rather than being sold as a separate paid AI subscription. Some AI features may have availability restrictions depending on country, account status or rollout stage.
The strengths & trade-offs
Pros
- Completely free to use.
- Combines conventional search with AI Chat and AI Overviews.
- AI image generation is available within AI Chat.
- Strong privacy positioning compared with many mainstream search platforms.
- 100% of profits are dedicated to climate action.
- Users can disable AI features if they prefer traditional search.
- Dedicated browser includes tracker blocking and energy-saving features.
Cons
- Search quality and coverage depend partly on third-party search providers.
- AI features are not available in every country.
- AI-generated answers can still contain errors or outdated information.
- Some AI functionality requires an Ecosia account.
- Users who prioritize maximum search-result customization may prefer larger established search engines.
Alternatives
Frequently asked questions
What is Ecosia?
Ecosia is a privacy-focused search engine that uses its profits to fund climate action and environmental projects.
Is Ecosia free?
Yes. Ecosia Search and its core search features are free to use.
How does Ecosia make money?
Ecosia primarily generates revenue through advertising associated with search results and uses its profits for climate action.
Does Ecosia use AI?
Yes. Ecosia now provides AI Chat, AI Overviews and AI image generation alongside traditional search.
Can Ecosia generate AI images?
Yes. Logged-in users can generate and refine images within Ecosia AI Chat.
Is Ecosia private?
Ecosia is designed with a privacy-focused approach and says it does not sell personal data or create cross-platform personal profiles. However, search requests still involve third-party providers such as Microsoft Bing or Google depending on the user's region and settings.
Can I turn off AI in Ecosia?
Yes. Ecosia introduced an AI-free search setting that disables AI Overviews and AI Chat.
Does Ecosia plant trees?
Yes. Ecosia dedicates its profits to climate action, including tree planting and ecosystem-restoration projects.
Does Ecosia have a browser?
Yes. Ecosia offers a browser with built-in search, tracker blocking, privacy controls, energy-saving functionality and AI features.
Is Ecosia open source?
Ecosia itself is not an open-source search engine.