Do you often Google names for your story’s characters?

What about looking for a really good rhyme for your poetry?

Maybe you’re trying to find out how to write in an active voice.

Whatever it may be, you’ve probably needed to consult with Mr. Google on your writing (for one reason or another).

What if I told you there’s a way to do your writing research in a way that can help the planet and its inhabitants? All while you help your own writing from the comfort of home?

Well, today I’m going to bring you a list of 16 search engines that help the environment or various charities!

These different search engines are dedicated to improving some aspects of the planet; such as cleaning the ocean, reforestation, or providing clean drinking water.

Some of them power everything they do with renewable energy (solar, hydroelectricity, wind, etc.).

If you’re curious, here’s an interesting post on the impact some search engines have on the environment.

Here’s their own disclaimer before you read:

“Disclaimer: we only measure the user device activity, its inputs/outputs, and project the network and server impacts on the basis of an average impact methodology (see methodology section). We know that some engines use low-energy servers, optimized cooling, “green” electricity… That others better protect your privacy or even finance associations and important causes … We have not had access to the data center of our respondents, and we, therefore, made assumptions based on activity projections based on the volume exchanged. However, since this is a subject that has a direct economic impact, we could imagine that these companies have designed optimized systems so that the purchase of machines and their operation don’t cost them too much!“

Source: https://greenspector.com/en/search-engines/

There are several different kinds of search engines I’ll be listing, each with their own causes they support, and switching search engines can be a nicer, greener habit to pick up (both for all your writing research needs, or more casual deep dives)!

How can you start using these more often?

By making some of these search engines the default for your preferred browser. It’ll be easier to make a habit of using them.

Usually, there’s a big button somewhere on the page for an extension. When I did it on Ecosia, it even asked if I wanted to make it my default search engine. So now when I open up FireFox, I can just type in the bar on the top and it’ll automatically search on Ecosia.

Also, I used Ecosia to research this blog post so a tree would be planted while I worked, but then I realized I had my AdBlock on the whole time. So I don’t think it actually counted, since these search engines usually use ad revenue to pay for everything.

I apologize.

BUT now I know to remind you all to turn off your AdBlock when using them!

Or you can just whitelist the search engine, that’s what I did.

With all that outta the way, on to the list!

Ecosia

• For every 45 searches, a tree will be planted.
• They sell clothing, bags, and stickers to further fund their goals.
• They show their monthly financial reports.
• They run everything with renewable energy.

OceanHero

• For every 5 searches or 17 tabs, they recover 1 ocean-bound plastic bottle.
• They show their monthly financial reports.

Ekoru

• They focus on cleaning and reforesting the ocean.
• Revenue: 60% donations & 40% cover work costs.
• They show their monthly financial reports.
• They run everything with renewable energy.

Elliot for Water

• Roughly, 1 search can donate 14 liters of drinking water.
• 60% of the profit is used to provide clean water.
• They are Open Source.

Rapusia

• They focus on many different environmental and social issues.
• They show their monthly financial reports.
• After enough searches have been made, you can select what specific projects to finance.
• Profits: 50% donations, 20% marketing, 30% maintenance
• On average, 1 person’s use can generate €15 with 1 year of use.

GoodSearch

• They donate a percentage to a variety of causes which you can choose from (or even suggest).
• They donate “the lesser of $0.01 per search or 50% of the revenue earned . . . .”
• They also have their GoodShop search. Here you can find coupons and offers, and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to a cause of your choice.

Givero

Unfortunately, my browser gives me a security warning when I try to go to their website. So I’ve crossed it off the list, and removed the hyperlink. I’ll update this entire post soon.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

– Mariah

• They have 7 different organizations where they donate.
• You can choose which cause will receive the donations, or they’ll be evenly distributed among all 7.
• 50% of revenue goes towards donations.

Lilo

• They donate to a variety of causes.
• You can choose which cause you’d like to support.
• 50% of the money is donated to various causes, and 50% will be for maintenance.
• They show their monthly financial reports.

SearchScene

• They use 95% of their profit towards a variety of causes.
• You can choose which of their charities you want to help.

YouCare

• 80% of their profits go to a variety of causes.
• They show their monthly financial reports.
• They “compensates 100% of the CO₂ emissions . . . by financing the planting of trees . . . .”

GaiaMission

Unfortunately, it’s been brought to my attention that GaiaMission’s URL is for sale. So I’ve crossed it off the list, and removed the hyperlink. I’ll update this entire post soon.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

– Mariah

• Their main focus is protecting tropical rainforests, and support a variety of environmental protections and services.

giveWater

• Their main focus is helping to provide clean water.
• They plan to eventually show their monthly financial reports.
• They say they donate all their profits, and try to minimize their business expenses.

Hulah

Unfortunately, the server is still down. They have an add-on available for Chrome, but I’m not comfortable linking to that when the main website has been down for so long. So I’ve crossed it off the list, and removed the hyperlink. I’ll update this entire post soon.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

– Mariah

• They support 6 different charities of varying causes.
• You can pick which charity you want to support with your searches.
• 80% of revenue is donated, and 20% is used to run the platform.
• They roughly make 0.50p per search.

EveryClick

• They offer a large variety of charities to support. You can choose which you want to support.
• They have something called Give as you Live where if you shop through them, they give 50% of their commission money with charities. (Note that they’re a UK-based website, so I don’t know if it’ll work if you live anywhere else.)

Savoo

• They offer a large variety of charities to support. You can choose which you want to support.
• They donate up to a 50% commission to charities if you shop with their voucher codes and deals. (Note that they’re a UK-based website, so I don’t know if it’ll work if you live anywhere else.)

Mojeek

• “Hosted and run from the UK’s greenest data centre.”

Thanks for reading, and happy writing!